Afolabi Mustapha
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has cautioned young Nigerian girls against falling prey to sextortion and getting dragged into illicit cyber activity.
EFCC Executive Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, issued this warning in Abuja on Monday during a local gathering organised by the African Girl Guide to celebrate the International Day of the Girl Child.
Speaking through Aisha Muhammed, Head of the commission’s Enlightenment and Re-orientation Unit, Olukoyede noted that online predators often target young women during vulnerable relationship moments to extract money.
“Girls need to be careful about relationships and not fall into the antics of criminals and sextortionists. Integrity in a relationship will safeguard you against such villains. A girl with integrity will always outlast a girl with only make-up. Your integrity is your crown. Do not sell it cheap,” he stated.
The EFCC boss also highlighted the grave risks of handling money for fraudsters or engaging in online blackmail schemes.
“If you engage in cybercrime; if you become an account mule for Yahoo boys; if you blackmail people online, you are not just committing a crime, you are destroying Nigeria’s image, the same Nigeria you will need for a lot of things,” he warned.
Olukoyede challenged young women to step up as civic leaders by calling out crime, giving back through volunteer work, and standing up for the rule of law.
“A responsible girl child reports wrongdoing, she volunteers, she respects the law, she knows that she is a stakeholder in Project Nigeria,” he remarked.
To build long-term independence, he advised girls to pick up practical trades—such as tech, baking, and content creation—and practice discipline with their earnings.
“As young girls, you must learn how to earn legally. Learn a skill, tech, tailoring, baking, content creation, coding. Not everything you earn is for squandering, save at least a certain percentage like 20%, know your needs and wants. Financial awareness is self-defence. Don’t let anyone use your account to commit fraud. That account in your name can take you to prison,” he cautioned.
