*We've heard their distress call, our men are heading there.
Many are feared killed in Jauro-Sabai, a suburb of Jalingo, the Taraba state capital, as rampaging herdsmen are reported to have invaded the area shooting.
Residents of Nukai, ATC, Kasuwan Bera, and Jauro-Sabai have reportedly fled the area, as rattling gunshots continue to rend the air.
Barnabas Francis, a resident of Kasuwan Bera, said to SaharaReporters on the telephone: "Jalingo is on fire. Fulani herdsmen are on the rampage firing gunshots randomly here. We're on the run.
"Some of our relations who escaped from Jauro-Sabai reported that many houses in the area have been razed, and from here we can see thick smoke billowing."
Ishaku Danzumi, who also spoke with SaharaReporters, said, "Fulani herdsmen in droves have invaded ATC and Jauro-Sabai. They are firing shots everywhere. Only God can save us tonight.
However, Police in Taraba could not categorically state the situation, as David Misal, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), said the command has responded to a distress call from Yelwan-Tau, a community around ATC.
"I can't confirm anything to you now, what I know for now is that we got a distress call from Yelwan-Tau and our men have been dispatched to tackle whatever security challenge in the area.
"So as it is, I can't tell you anything about the impact or casualty issues, for now, please," Misal said.
A Nigerian police officer was duped by an internet fruadster who claims to be from Vice President Osinbajo
In a video circulating online, a police officer narrates his sad encounter with a yahoo boy who thrown him and family into great loss.
The man said one day he receives a phone call from an unknown number claiming to have been from Vice President Osinbajo.
In the video the man said they told his wife that she she is lucky and that Osinbajo said she has won a sum of N950,000.
As a condition she was asked to send her account details, to which she submitted her husband’s, who is a police officer.
SE
The husband, the police officer, instead of getting an alert from the said source, what he got were debit alerts on his account.
The unnamed police officer, with sadness and worry written all over his face, said that he has taken the matter to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and they promised to track the person.
He also added that he would take the issue to the police headquarters to lodge additional complaints
The State Security Service on Wednesday announced a nationwide crackdown on individuals allegedly caught posting inciting materials on the Internet, in a move that could provoke fresh debates about the potency of Nigerian Constitution’s free speech safeguards.
The SSS said it had recently observed that some social media users were skewing Nigeria’s history to promote ethnic violence and tip the nation into crisis, a development it said must be urgently reversed through state interference.
The secret police’s spokesperson, Peter Afunanya, said in a statement that some “unpatriotic” Nigerians have been using social media platforms to make “unguarded public statements and/or use the social media platforms to instil fear in the minds of citizens”.
“These are reflected in the misleading statements and articles being circulated among unsuspecting members of the public. Such inciting materials oftentimes are designed to make or convey false accusations by one group against the other.
The SSS said it was “determined to ensure that the tribal chauvinists and mischief makers do not continue to exploit socio-political differences and Internet platforms to threaten the peace and stability of the country.”
The SSS vowed to “sustain the apprehension and prosecution of defaulters,” because it would not relent in its quest to prevent crimes and keep Nigeria as an indivisible country.
Canadians Lauren Tilley, left, and Bailey Chitty, who were abducted in Ghana on June 4, have been rescued and are safe. The two are volunteers with Youth Challenge International. (Facebook)
Two University of New Brunswick students abducted June 4 in Ghana while volunteering with a non-governmental organization were rescued in an early-morning raid and eight people are in custody.
Ghana's Ministry of Information said the rescue operation was completed in the south-central Ashanti region. The Canadian government said in an email to CBC on Wednesday that it's "very relieved to confirm" the release of the women, whose names were disclosed by Youth Challenge International (YCI), the NGO with which they were volunteering, as Lauren Tilley and Bailey Chitty.
On its website, YCI said both women were getting support from professionals and that they were physically unhurt.
"The parents of both young women have been in contact with their daughters and at this time wish to express their extreme gratitude to the Ghanaian police, the Ghanaian government and the Canadian government for all their support and actions throughout this extremely difficult time," the statement on the site said.
3rd woman identified
Tilley, 19, and Chitty, 20, had been abducted at the Kumasi Royal Golf Club at 8:25 p.m. local time on June 4, said a news release from the Ghana Police Service.
Tilley is originally from Rothesay, N. B., a suburban community on the outskirts of Saint John. Chitty is from Amherst, N.S., a town that borders New Brunswick.
"Bailey and Lauren are receiving emotional and psychological support from professionals as they travel home," YCI said in the news release.
"Medical reports are that they are both physically unhurt. At this time, we are unable to comment on the police actions, the rescue or the perpetrators of the abduction."
Two Canadian women who were kidnapped in Ghana have been released, Ghana's Information Ministry and Global Affairs Canada confirm. (CBC)
CBC News has confirmed a third woman was also present at the time of the abductions. Luce Thériault is originally from New Brunswick and works at the Multicultural Association of Fredericton.
At a news conference Wednesday, Ghana's minister of information, Kojo Oppong-Nkrumah, said Tilley and Chitty have been flown to the capital, Accra.
He said security officers in Ghana surrounded the location where the women were held just before 5 a.m. local time. By 5:15 a.m., the team had "breached the premises" and gunshots were fired.
Five Ghanians and three Nigerians were taken into custody. One of the suspects sustained minor injuries.
Oppong-Nkrumah said an ongoing interrogation process will determine whether more arrests will be made.
He said one of the suspects might be linked to a separate kidnapping case involving multiple Ghanaian girls.
No ransom was paid
The ministry said no ransom was paid or discussed between the suspects and security agents in Ghana in the case of Tilley and Chitty, and there was no foreign involvement in the operation.
"The Canadian team was in town to explore ways in which they could help, but that was not necessary," Oppong-Nkrumah said. "Our people on the ground have clarity on what to do. And the result is what you see currently."
Global Affairs Canada also said consular officials are providing assistance to the two women and their families.
CBC News New Brunswick
Ghana official details rescue of 2 Canadian women who had been abducted
00:00 01:58
Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, Ghana's Information Minister, gave an update on the status of the two Canadian women who had been abducted. 1:58
"Due to the provisions of the Privacy Act, and out of respect to these two Canadians who have been through harrowing experiences, no further information will be disclosed," spokesperson Guillaume Bérubé said by email.
The ministry has sought to assure travellers that the West African nation remains safe despite a recent uptick in kidnappings for ransom. The country has been considered one of the safest in the region for foreign travellers.
Maritimes react to kidnapping
Political leaders in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia were relieved Wednesday to learn Tilley and Chitty were found safe and unharmed.
Amherst Mayor David Kogon said "there are an awful lot of relieved people in the Amherst area."
"I just can't imagine the angst and now the relief that she's been rescued ... it's just not something you hear about in Amherst."
Although Kogon hasn't spoken directly with Chitty or her family, he said the town is grateful for authorities involved in her rescue.
A lot of prayers have been said over the past week for these two young women and their families. Today, they were answered.- David Coon, Green Party leader in New Brunswick
"Unfortunately they were just in the wrong place at the wrong time."
Health Minister and PC MLA Ted Flemming said Tilley resides in his riding of Rothesay.
"Who could be anything but fabulously relieved that she's been rescued?" he said. "It's a wonderful story, it's international."
Inside New Brunswick's Legislative Assembly, Green Party Leader David Coon became emotional while congratulating Ghana officials for their efforts in rescuing the two women.
"A lot of prayers have been said over the past week for these two young women and their families, today they were answered," Coon said.
CBC News also asked for an interview with UNB, which wouldn't comment about last week's kidnapping.
"The university will not be issuing anything publicly about this situation, and we ask our community to do the same," said university spokesperson Natasha Ashfield in an emailed statement.
"Even though we're incredibly pleased to see a successful resolution, we need to respect the privacy of our students and their families."
President vows crackdown on kidnappers
This marks the second time in about a month that foreigners have been targeted in Kumasi. Earlier, an Indian national was abducted and rescued.
Ghana's president, Nana Akufo-Addo, has vowed to crack down on kidnappers amid fears the abductions could harm tourism.
Ghana's Information Minister Kojo Oppong Nkrumah updated journalists on Wednesday about the rescue of the two Canadian women who were abducted last week in Kumasi, in Accra, Ghana. (Kweku Obeng/Reuters)
Francisca Forson, a freelance journalist in Accra, said the Ghana Tourism Authority that regulates the industry has shut down the hostel where the two Canadians were lodging after doing inspections.
"They were operating without a licence, and they shut that down, and they also issued a warning that they would be tougher with other hostels or hotels where foreigners are lodged," she said.
"So, there's efforts on the part of the authorities to ensure that foreigners do not feel unsafe and are able to come here."
A man who reportedly killed his wife alongside other family members has confessed to the crime.
Deji Adenuga killed his wife and other family members
Ondo State Police command has arrested 45- year-old Deji Adenuga said to have burnt his wife and eight other family members to death in Okitipupa, TheNation has reported.
The suspect was paraded to reporters by Commissioner of Police, Mr Undie Adie at the command’s headquarters in Akure on Tuesday.
Adenuga confessed to the crime, saying he burnt the house where the parents of his wife lived and killed eight persons.
The suspect was one of the ex -convicts that escaped from Olokuta Prison after a jail break in 2013.
According to him, he had in 2003 killed his first wife after she allegedly went away with N450, 000 belonging to him.
On why he took the decision to burn the family of his wife to death, he said his wife aborted his four- month pregnancy and took away some of his personal belongings to her parent’s house.
The arrested arsonist hails from Erinje in Okitipupa Local Government Area of the state.
He said he was ready to face the consequences of his action.
His words: “I have no regret killing them because when they did their own nobody punished them.
“I took the decision to set their house ablaze when it became clear that my wife had moved to her parent’s house with some of my belongings.
“We had little altercations at home and she moved out of the house.
“I was the one paying their house rent and I was also responsible for their day-to -day living. I am a palm wine tapper and I always live up to expectation both at home and at my in-law’s house.
“My wife’s parent always asked for money from me and food stuffs and I always oblige”.
Adenuga said he waited for months thinking that the family will rescind their decision but to no avail.
According to him: “I also reported the matter to the Police but they did not take any action. I therefore decided to set their house ablaze for my belongings in their custody to be destroyed but they were also burnt.
Adie, who assured that the suspect would be charged to court, said he was arrested in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State where he relocated to after committing the heinous crime.
The police chief said his command would also investigate the case of murder that earlier led to his imprisonment and the magic he used to escape from the prison custody.
There is no way one will talk about Christianity in Nigeria and Osun state will not be mentioned. For a fact, many popular men of God late or living either hail from Osun state or started their ministry in the state. These men of God share something in common when it comes to their religious activities; they all go to the mountain top to seek the face of God and they get their prayers answered.
These mountains where they go for prayers, because of the power attributed to them, have continued to attract thousands of worshippers worldwide since then and even after their demise. In this report, Osun Citizen presents to you the story of the three most popular out of these prayer mountains. Because of his significance, added to the list is a prayer ground (not a mountain) where the popular Apostle Joseph Ayo Babalola received his calling.
Man praying on a Mountain
ORI OKE BABA ABIYE, EDE
Ori-Oke Baba Abiye Is A Prayer Mountain Located Near Ede Town And Between The Rustic Towns Of Awo And Iwoye In Egbedore Local Government Area Of Osun State. The Over 500 Meters Stretch Mountain Was Established In 1944 By Prophet Samson Oladeji Akande.
Since its establishment, the mountain has turned to a prayer city besieged by all manners of people including those in need of inspiration, as well as those seeking divine intervention to both physical and spiritual problems. Apart from its religious significance, one striking feature of the prayer mountain is its tourist potential. Standing on top of the mountain, one will have a clear view of the luxuriant surrounding environment. The first building used as a church and the personal prayer room of the founder still stand on top of the mountain, though the first church building has been converted into a male hostel.
The prayer city also has a Bible Institute, where men of God are equipped with adequate knowledge of their calling and are prepared for the “go yea commission”.Recalling the story of how the mountain was established the cleric in charge, Pastor Funso Akande said that in 1944, God directed the founder to go and establish a prayer city for him on a mountain after the man of God had completed a 16- month fasting and prayer session.
“Prophet Samson Oladeji Akande got the call to start a prayer mountain in 1944 and the blind servant set on the journey to Gbajeero hill along Kuta-Ile-Ogbo road, but he was asked to proceed as Gbajeero hill was not the destination of his prophecy until he got to a mountain after the Osun River between Awo and Iwoye where he contended with evil being, the first of which was a python, which used the hill as its enclave.“Having conquered the python, he faced another demonic spirit, the queen of the hill (Barebaduntan) and her followers, whose abode was in the womb of the hill, but the power of prayer coupled with the support of the Holy Spirit, the queen and her followers were forcefully ejected from the hill, paving way for God promise to manifest in the life of the blinded Prophet Akande,” he said.
According to him, these and many other battles were fought to make the mountain an abode of the faithful who thronged the mountain on a daily basis. The cleric in charge of the mountain who is also the son of the founder also recalled God’s promise to the founder of the prayer city.“When God asked Prophet Akande who is popularly known as Baba Abiye to go and established the prayer city on the mountain, He made a promise. God said he will turn this prayer mountain into a city and many rulers from different parts of this country and Europe would come here because he will work great miracles among people here and captives shall be set free.”
Today, the prayer city is not just about prayers and miracles; it also has socio-economic value for the adjoining communities. Various activities are carried out on the mountain throughout the year that attracts people to the area, thereby boosting economic activities. Notable among such activities is the Abiye convention, a mega programme aimed at providing solutions to various afflictions and challenges.
ORI OKE IKOYI, EDE
Ori-Oke Ikoyi was said to be the most favourite prayer mountain of late Apostle Ayo Babalola and he chose a particular spot on the mountain where he do spend days praying before going for crusades. After his demise in 1959, because of the covenant of God on the mountain, people from all over the world still visit the place to pray.
Ori-Oke Ikoyi which is known as A Refuge in the mountain of God is at located at Ede in Osun state. When going to the mountain one needs to go with his or her faith and his or her anointing oil. Ori-Oke Ikoyi have different prayer spots on the mountain where both male and female pray together but the Top eager on the mountain is strictly for men.
This is a mountain where prayers are held for 24 hours a day. This is one mountain that is being patronized by all the men of substance in Nigerian and some even come from other continents to pray on this mountain either once in a year, every month or quarterly. At this mountain which is also referred to as holy ground, no visitor is allowed to wear his or her shoes no matter your status in the society.
People visit the mountain for various reasons like Breakthrough, mercy of God and to spend a moment with God. One will be surprised to see the caliber of people, who visit the mountain of Refuge. We were told that there is nobody that comes to the mountain that does not receive answers to his or her prayer.
The late Apostle Joseph Ayodele Babalola established this mountain in 1935, at a time when idol worship, rituals, black magic, witchcraft and so many devilish acts were at their peak in south west Nigeria.
Joseph Ayodele Babalola during one of his open crusades
CAC KOSEUNTI, OKE ERINMO, ERINMO-IJESA
Over the years, C.A.C Koseunti Oke-Erimo, located in a small town called Erinmo-Ijesha, has always been a Jerusalem of sort not only for people looking up to God for miracles, healing or other things, but also for men of God to refresh their anointing. This is because of the spiritual power on this mountain and it has been like that for more than two decades now, especially since Prophet Adeojo, the minister of God in-charge, was ministered to by God to go and establish the place.
It has since become a place where all spiritual needs are met, where miracles abound and testimonies follow almost immediately we were told.
Depending on the individual’s problems, people spend days or months on this mountain with fasting and prayer.
As strong and powerful as C.A.C church and its prophets like the great Prophet Ayodele Babalola, Prophet Akande (Baba Abiye) and Prophet T.O Obadare and likes were, so also is this mountain.
But like every other church and mountains, this mountain also has its own rules which is to be followed by visitors. In fact, as soon as you arrive at the mountain, you will be advised to go and register your name with full address and car number if you came with any. Interestingly too, people are allowed to come in groups and with their pastors for special prayers but must obey the laid down rules to the letter. Some of these rules include silent prayers from 7pm. No shoes are allowed on the mountain.
Visitors are also seriously warned against fellowship with strangers in order not to fall victim of fraudsters that do come around, parading themselves as ministers of God. Even eating and drinking is not allowed as soon as one arrives the mountain.
Though there is a small store where one can buy soft drinks, bread and things like that, but not to be eaten around the altar.Another unique thing about this mountain
Another unique thing about this mountain characterised by its distinguishing 146 steps is the mysterious water bank on which one would pass before climbing the mountain.The water is said to possess spiritual power of healing and performing wonders that people come from all over the world to collect it. The barren, findings revealed regularly come for testimonies as well as those whose businesses are experiencing turbulence.
Top politicians and big time contractors we learnt do visit this mountain every now and then for spiritual cleansing and other special prayers.Prayers here are said to be answered by fire and speedily too, which is why according to our findings most people go there for miracles.Findings even revealed that most visitors were told on arrival that it is advisable for one to bath with the water before climbing and when coming down from the mountain.
Aside that, the most shocking thing is how building materials are moved to the mountain top as high as it is. Because there are some buildings on the mountain. For instance, the mountain top has an auditorium, the prophets’ section and the one reserved for the use of female worshipers.The process we heard is through voluntary efforts of visitors who carry block, sand and other building materials one by one, from bottom of the mountain to the top, depending on their capacity and how laid it in their hearts.Here,
Here, general program takes place every day from 12pm to 3pm. Special program is on Fridays at 12am in the mid night till 4am or 5am in the morning.So visitor are free to have their individual prayers every other hour aside the stipulated time for general prayers.
Picture of the 18th century Bible
AYO BABALOLA PRAYER GROUND, IKEJI ARAKEJI
The over one thousand acres of land where Apostle Babalola was working as a steamroller along Akure – Ilesha road on October 9th 1928 by the river Ariran when he heard a loud voice from above like the roar of thunder which called his name thrice saying “Joseph! Joseph!! Joseph!!! Leave this job you are doing; if not, this year you are going to be cut off from the earth.”This particular place is known as Ikeji-Arakeji. The place is a rallying prayer ground for most Christian who doesn’t want to go to the mountain. Ikeji Arakeji has 5 significant prayer sections which
One of the prayer spot is the special Babalola prayer room where he spent 6 days praying for 120 times. Another prayer spot is the bathing-wash that was said to have no source and it had never gone dry since it was sanctified by the Apostle and this water is used to heal all kind of illness, diseases and it also open the womb of barren woman. It will be recalled that one of the significance of Babalola’s ministry while he was alive was the water therapy. There is water meant for strictly drinking with healing abilities at Babalola prayer ground at a spot where he do stand to pray for hours.
Arakeji where the present C.A.C private university Joseph Ayodele Babalola University named after the late Apostle is located is the most popular among Babalola prayer mountains and no C.A.C prophet or pastors that do not have a link with this place.
There is water meant for strictly drinking with healing abilities at Babalola prayer ground at a spot where he do stand to pray for hours.
Arakeji where the present C.A.C private university Joseph Ayodele Babalola University named after the late Apostle is located is the most popular among Babalola prayer mountains and no C.A.C prophet or pastors that do not have a link with this place.
Dr Chibawanye Ene, a US-based Nigerian Doctor, has won the 2019 Ronald L. Bittner Award on Brain Tumor Research.
A statement from the Clinical Department, Applied Radiation Oncology U.S., said Ene received the award at the 2019 American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) Annual Scientific Meeting held from April 13 to April 17 in San Diego.
Ene who is from Akpugo in Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu State, won the award with his research work on ‘Anti-PD-L1 Immunotherapy Enhances Radiation-induced Abscopal Response in Glioblastoma’.
Immunotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that helps immune system fight cancer.
The immune system, made up of white blood cells, organs and tissues of the lymph system, helps the body fight infections and other diseases.
The Clinical Department stated Immunotherapy is a type of biological therapy.
Also, Glioblastoma, known as glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), is the most aggressive cancer that begins within the brain. Initially, signs and symptoms of glioblastoma are non-specific.
They may include headaches, personality changes, nausea, and symptoms similar to those of a stroke.
Immunotherapy for glioblastoma has been largely unsuccessful in part, because molecular heterogeneity drives selective elimination of only a subset of tumor cells.
According to the statement, it appears that therapeutic success in patients would require achieving an abscopal effect, where following focused radiation therapy, non-targeted tumor cells are attacked by the immune system.
The statement further revealed that it remains unclear how glioblastoma respond to focused radiation in terms of failure location and whether immunotherapy could amplify the immune response to tumor outside the radiation field.
The result of the study’s experiment show that radiation combined with anti PD L1 therapy induces an immunological response to unirradiated glioblastoma.
The researchers are currently optimizing other treatment combinations that could also be readily assessed in phase I human clinical trials.
Dr Chibawanye Ene, a US-based Nigerian Doctor, has won the 2019 Ronald L. Bittner Award on Brain Tumor Research.
A statement from the Clinical Department, Applied Radiation Oncology U.S., said Ene received the award at the 2019 American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) Annual Scientific Meeting held from April 13 to April 17 in San Diego.
Ene who is from Akpugo in Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu State, won the award with his research work on ‘Anti-PD-L1 Immunotherapy Enhances Radiation-induced Abscopal Response in Glioblastoma’.
Immunotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that helps immune system fight cancer.
The immune system, made up of white blood cells, organs and tissues of the lymph system, helps the body fight infections and other diseases.
The Clinical Department stated Immunotherapy is a type of biological therapy.
Also, Glioblastoma, known as glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), is the most aggressive cancer that begins within the brain. Initially, signs and symptoms of glioblastoma are non-specific.
They may include headaches, personality changes, nausea, and symptoms similar to those of a stroke.
Immunotherapy for glioblastoma has been largely unsuccessful in part, because molecular heterogeneity drives selective elimination of only a subset of tumor cells.
According to the statement, it appears that therapeutic success in patients would require achieving an abscopal effect, where following focused radiation therapy, non-targeted tumor cells are attacked by the immune system.
The statement further revealed that it remains unclear how glioblastoma respond to focused radiation in terms of failure location and whether immunotherapy could amplify the immune response to tumor outside the radiation field.
The result of the study’s experiment show that radiation combined with anti PD L1 therapy induces an immunological response to unirradiated glioblastoma.
The researchers are currently optimizing other treatment combinations that could also be readily assessed in phase I human clinical trials.
Many undergraduates in Nigerian universities dabble in internet fraud. Nicknamed “yahoo-yahoo” after the international web portal and search engine, this perfidy has become a way of life for the young con-artists. Many of these fraudsters – dubbed “yahoo-boys” – have become filthy rich.
Some have been caught by the law. In April 2012, Olasaidi Dare, an undergraduate of the Olabisi Onabanjo University in Ago-Iwoye, was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment for an attempt to obtain money under false pretences in a cyber-café.
On June 5 2012, a Federal High Court in Kaduna State sentenced Imonina Kingsley, of the University of Ilorin, to 20 years’ imprisonment. He defrauded an Australian of US$1,000 by presenting himself as a gay person from the Republic of Benin. He was charged for impersonation, possession of fraudulent documents and attempting to obtain money by false pretences.
These cases attest to the pervasive nature of internet fraud in Nigerian universities. My own research was conducted at Nigeria’s premier University of Ibadan. My aim was to determine how this subculture is organised among students in tertiary institutions. For this I spoke to a number of these “yahoo-boys”.
Areas of specialisation
Internet fraud is organised along areas of specialisation to make a success of the deviant behaviour. Fraudsters study the security network of online transactions to decide where to pitch their tents. Quick monetary reward is what “yahoo-boys” have in mind. They use different schemes.
Sending fraudulent messages to online dating websites and social network sites were reported to be low-risk – but high-profit – areas of specialisation.
A third-year student said to me:
I started online fraud in my second semester of 100 level [a session comprised of two academic semesters in Nigerian universities] as an impostor via online dating. Then I looked for the profile of people that live in developed countries. But if it is in Nigeria, I look for people who live in places like Port Harcourt, Abuja [luxury suburbs].
I always posed to them as a big man who needed a wife. Sometimes I posed to them on how my wife disappointed me and took away my property and children. All this is polished in a pitiable way with some pictures to convince them when I’m chatting with them. However, what I do mainly now is to transmit misleading information online for people to send their bank accounts [details].
Another scam that is popular with the “yahoo boys” is phishing, a technique used to acquire sensitive information such as usernames, passwords and credit card details.
Third, the “yahoo boys” are also big on ATM fraud. They may stand at ATM galleries to feign assistance to vulnerable users – illiterates, the old and the physically challenged – and later swap cards to defraud them.
The fraudsters carry out their attacks mostly on weekends and mostly outside the state where the account is domiciled. Banks are mostly non-functional on weekends. This means victims will be unable to ask their banks to stop illegal transactions on their accounts until Monday morning, when the banks open for business, even though they receive debit alerts over the weekend.
Informal networks and the insider factor
Informal networks are vital to the young scamsters’ success. These networks revolve around banks, security agencies, co-fraudsters and, sometimes, families.
The common means of collecting fraud money in Nigeria is through the banks, mostly through the Western Union money transfer. Through compromised banking staff, fraudsters use fake identity to access funds. This is because the fraudster would have used a foreign name and would not have a recognised identity card in that name. For successful execution of fraud, an insider within the bank is important: the banker facilitates payment without attracting the attention of security agencies. They also get their share of the loot.
The instability in the Nigerian banking sector may have created an uncommitted workforce. Working in an insecure establishment makes workers vulnerable. More than 2,000 bankers have lost their jobs due to economic recession in the country. A large numbers of casual workers are deployed to man key positions in the banks. This makes way for criminal opportunities.
Therefore the “yahoo-boys” find easy allies in banking staff, who are mostly youths too, because of their socioeconomic nightmare. The fear of unemployment has been identified as a push factor for undergraduates’ involvement in internet fraud.
A fifth-year student stated that the fear of the unknown may have attracted a number of students to “yahoo-yahoo” rather than waiting for after-school unemployment. They see internet fraud as a creative outlet in a country like Nigeria.
The influence of corruption
Hitherto, internet fraud was carried out at public cafés. However, with regular raids on these internet cafés and the arrest of suspected fraudsters by the police, the “yahoo boys” have simply moved their bases.
Plus, the proliferation of internet service providers in Nigeria has made it even easier for scamsters to commit internet fraud. It is now as simple as buying modems and surfing the internet within the confines of their privately rented apartments on campus. The “yahoo boys” stay in physical communes of like-minded individuals and use this network to launch internet attacks.
They share information on a particular target and find new ways of making prospective targets yield to their deceit. They are able to get help, share internet costs and jointly pay for fuel for generators, which are used to power their computers. They come to school during the day, and go to social clubs in the evenings and to celebrate their successes.
It is no surprise that there is a proliferation of “yahoo boys”. The celebration of wealth, particularly among politicians, serves to motivate the involvement of the youths in cyber-crime. Nigerian society celebrates wealth without questioning the source of the money.
So what do these young, undergraduate Nigerians do under these circumstances? They see a leadership that doesn’t care about their future. And they use their education to follow the example set by their elders that shows crime pays.
Cecilia Ibru, former chief executive officer of the defunct Oceanic Bank, says she was persecuted by Lamido Sanusi, former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), because he thought she wanted his job.
In an interview with Saturday Punch, Ibru said Sanusi, the emir of Kano, also ordered for the withdrawal of her personal driver and security personnel.
In 2010, a federal high court in Lagos had convicted and sentenced Ibru to six months in prison on a three-count charge bordering on financial fraud.
The former bank CEO said she accepted the offer for plea bargain because she was fed up with the trial and wanted peace of mind.
“For me, they just wanted the banks. An envious fight does not end, but that is a big story that I would prefer to write about later. You find that when people knock you down, they don’t expect you to get up again. So, when you get up, they have mixed feelings,” Ibru said.
“I won’t say betrayal, including (Lamido) Sanusi (the then Governor of the Central Bank) himself, but people that I thought would come and help me did not do so. However, God raised other people to help me.
“He (Sanusi) thought I wanted his job but I didn’t. I was offered the position, but I said no.
“Remember I said I was planning to retire in March of the following year to go and stay with my husband. When he (Sanusi) was appointed, I congratulated him. He even told me at that time they had not given him a letter and I told him not to worry that it would come.
“Back then when I was in office, if I was at home, you wouldn’t find a parking space in my compound; it was always filled with cars and people who wanted one favour or the other from the bank. But after that episode, everywhere became empty.”
Ibru, however, reiterated that she has forgiven the people she helped while she was in office but deserted her when the corruption trial began.
The court had ordered the assets and shares worth N191 billion traced to Ibru be forfeited and managed by the Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON).
The former Oceanic bank CEO was reported to have bought shares in 298 unlisted and listed blue chip companies with depositors money including assets in Dubai, United Arab Emirate, the United States of America and some countries around the world.
Investigators had told the court of how Nanashettu Bedell, 51-year-old nanny of Cecilia also known as Nanashetu P. Abdulai, was used as a conduit through which the ex-CEO allegedly laundered N30 billion of depositors’ savings.
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