Lagos Police Bust ‘Yahoo School,’ Arrest 10 Including 12-Year-Old Trainee

The Lagos Police Command has raided and dismantled an illegal cybercrime training facility, known as a “Yahoo School,” located in the Iju area of the state, arresting 10 suspects in the process.

According to a statement by Police spokesman, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, the operation led to the arrest of four internet fraud experts who were operating the facility: Chibuike Ihejika (23), Stanley Ihejika (22), Obiora Oyediba (26), and Emmanuel Oyedibe (25).

Additionally, six individuals, including a 12-year-old boy, Minachi Udochukwu, were apprehended for undergoing training in cybercrime. 

The other trainees were Okorie Henry, Otoh Chisom (20), Okeke Kwufrochikwu (26), Uchenna Obeji (26), and Chinedu Ukachukwu (23).

Preliminary investigations revealed that the primary suspects had recruited the trainees from Anambra State, engaging them in internet fraud and other illicit activities. 

The trainers reportedly confiscated the proceeds from the trainees’ criminal operations.

All suspects have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Yaba, for further investigation and prosecution. Authorities are also actively searching for the sponsors who financed the trainees and the owner of the illegal facility.

One of the arrested, 12-year-old Udochukwu, was reportedly subjected to physical abuse by the principal suspect, who allegedly used force to coerce him into criminal activities. 

The young boy is currently receiving medical care and remains in protective custody until he is reunited with his family.

Lagos Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh, praised the officers for their professionalism and reaffirmed the command’s dedication to tackling cybercrime. He also urged parents to monitor their children’s activities to prevent them from falling into similar criminal networks.

The police further called on any victims of the fraudulent activities to come forward with complaints at the SCID, Yaba.