‎
‎The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has raised alarm over the deepening criminal ties between internet fraudsters, popularly called Yahoo-Yahoo boys, and politically exposed persons.
‎
‎Speaking during a media briefing on Monday at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja, Olukoyede said some of these fraud$ter$ are now being used to launder stolen public funds.
‎
‎”Some of them launder money for politically exposed persons. Don’t just see them as yah0o-yah0o boys anymore; the traditional way of stealing money is not applicable anymore,”
‎
‎He revealed that politicians now use these young men to transfer stolen funds using crypto wallets, after which the money is moved abroad to acquire luxury items like cars and houses.
‎
‎“We arrested a 22-year-old; he had a turnover of over N5 billion within 18 months. We discovered that he laundered money for politically exposed people. A boy who has never worked in his life,”
‎
‎Olukoyede stated that many of the fraudsters are being sheltered in hotels by these corrupt individuals, where they are given access to stolen funds to facilitate illegal transactions.
‎
‎

Former United Nations Special Rapporteur on Human Trafficking and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Prof. Joy Ngozi Ezeilo, has condemned the recent killings in Benue State, describing them as a grave crime against humanity.

Ezeilo said the killing of over 200 people in the state by suspected Fulani herdsmen was a horrific and inhumane attack that must not go unpunished.
“This massacre must not go unpunished. We need to understand the root causes and ensure accountability,” she said.

Ezeilo described the tragic incident in Benue as a reflection of the escalating insecurity across the country.
According to her, the massacre underscores the failure of government to protect lives and property, adding that the right to life is sacrosanct and constitutionally guaranteed.
“It is intolerable that communities remain exposed and vulnerable while perpetrators of such atrocious crimes operate with apparent impunity,” Ezeilo stated.

Calling for immediate action, she urged the Federal and State Governments, as well as security agencies, to live up to their constitutional responsibilities by prioritising the safety of citizens.

She also demanded a thorough investigation into the attack and swift justice for the victims.
“Every Nigerian life matters. The government must act decisively and transparently to restore peace and rebuild trust in the system,” she said.

The National Vice Chairman (North East) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mustapha Salihu, has explained why Vice President Kashim Shettima was not included in the recent endorsement of President Bola Tinubu for a second term.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, Salihu said including Shettima in the endorsement would have meant that Tinubu had already chosen his running mate for the 2027 election.

“It would have been inappropriate to endorse the Vice President along with the President because it would pre-assume that he is the running mate,” Salihu said.

The omission of Shettima happened during a North-East APC stakeholders meeting held in Gombe on Sunday, where the region endorsed President Tinubu for re-election but left out the Vice President.

The omission of Vice President Kashim Shettima also comes amid growing speculation about his political future.