The Economic and Financial Crimes, EFCC, on Thursday, denied reports linking its chairman, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, to a purported statement that “seven out of 10 Nigerian students are criminals”.
Head, Media and Publicity of the commission, Mr Dele Oyewale said in a statement on Thursday, that the report was baseless and a needless misrepresentation of the statement of the Chairman of the EFCC.
Oyewale said rather the Chairman was Concerned about youth involvement in internet fraud
According to him, there was no time the EFCC chairman said that “seven out of 10 Nigerian students are criminals.”
According to Oyewale, the EFCC chairman was concerned and was still determined to break the jinx of mass indulgence of youths in cybercrimes.
“The attention of the Economic and Financial Crimes, EFCC, has been drawn to some needless misrepresentation of the concerns of the Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede to the rising incidences of internet-related crimes involving youths across the country.
“At a recent meeting with some representatives of Civil Society Organisations, CSOs that paid him a courtesy visit, he called for wider media enlightenment of youths as a counter-measure against the menace of internet fraud.
“He did say that reports and intelligence available to him indicated that, unless this trajectory of youth involvement in internet fraud is addressed and reversed, the future of their leadership of our great nation may be threatened and if it continues in the next 10 years, 7 out 10 of our youths may be getting involved in cybercrimes.
“At no time, did he say that “seven out of 10 Nigerian students are criminals”. His concerns still bother on breaking the jinx of mass indulgence of youths in cybercrimes.
“The EFCC wishes to assure the public that Olukoyede is doubly committed to the progress of Nigerian youths and this underscores his calls for collaborative interventions in offering them more productive and sustainable alternatives.” The statement read.