The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has warned parents and guardians to warn their wards not to be part of a planned protest by a “shadowy group” against its operations.

In a statement on Wednesday, July 3, Dele Oyewale, spokesperson of the EFCC, said the group has been “actively campaigning on social media, recruiting impressionable young Nigerians, including students, to take up arms against the EFCC”.

The EFCC said the planned protest is aimed at resisting the anti-graft commission's activities, especially regarding cybercrime.

“In the last couple of days, the group has been actively campaigning in social media, recruiting impressionable young Nigerians, including students, to take up ‘arms’ against the EFCC,” the statement reads.

“This insidious campaign is being promoted as resistance to the operational activities of the Commission, especially in respect of the enforcement of the laws dealing with cybercrimes.

“The commission, while not averse to protests by citizens, is alarmed by emerging evidence that suggests a grand design by corrupt elements under investigation or prosecution by the commission to exploit the so-called protest to orchestrate a national uprising that may threaten the peace and security of our dear nation.

“As a responsible law enforcement organisation, the commission will not tolerate any breakdown of law and order anywhere in the country, especially around its office locations across Nigeria.

“EFCC, working in concert with sister security agencies, is therefore taking necessary measures to deal with possible threats to the peace and security of Nigeria.

“The commission, however, appeals to parents, guardians, and heads of tertiary institutions to take responsibility for ensuring that their wards are not recruited to be used as cannon fodder in a proxy war against the commission by vested corrupt interests.

“The war being waged by the commission against corruption and cybercrime is to protect the future of the youth of this country.

“That future is imperilled if Nigeria degenerates further in the global reckoning as a den of fraudsters.”