The Police Special Fraud Unit (PSFU) in Lagos State has apprehended 14 individuals, including four serving members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and eight students of Gateway Polytechnic, Sapaade, over their alleged involvement in financial fraud activities across Lagos and Ogun states.
The arrests, carried out on January 15, 2025, in the Sapaade community, also included two other individuals claiming to be an artist and a cobbler. The suspects, aged between 18 and 28 years, are alleged members of an Internet fraud syndicate operating within the two states.
Following the arrests, leaders of various student unions, including the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), National Association of Polytechnic Students, Association of Southern Nigerian Students, and the Gateway Polytechnic Students’ Union, visited the PSFU Commissioner of Police, Godwin Omodeinde, for a dialogue.
In a statement released on Monday, PSFU spokesperson Eyitayo Johnson noted that the union leaders met with the commissioner to discuss the arrests and advocate for their members.
Commissioner Omodeinde emphasized the importance of collaboration between the student unions and the police. He urged the student leaders to educate their members on the dangers of cybercrime, stressing its impact on Nigeria’s global reputation and economy.
He also highlighted the consequences of Nigeria’s presence on the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list, including reduced foreign investments, increased regulatory scrutiny, and challenges in international financial transactions.
“The student union executives were encouraged to uphold their mandate of protecting their members’ welfare while ensuring that individuals involved in criminal activities are handed over to the police,” the statement read.
The student leaders commended CP Omodeinde for his diplomatic and fair leadership, noting that the engagement would strengthen understanding and improve relations between the police and the student community.
The arrests mirror a similar operation in 2023 when the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission apprehended 11 students from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, over suspected Internet fraud activities.
The PSFU continues to warn against cybercrime, urging young people to engage in legitimate activities to preserve their futures and Nigeria’s international image.
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