In a significant crackdown on cybercrime, the Plateau State Police Command has uncovered a training center for internet fraud, commonly referred to as “yahoo-yahoo,” in Jos. Police Commissioner Emmanuel Adeshina revealed the discovery during a press briefing at the command’s headquarters on Wednesday.
The police arrested several individuals linked to various criminal activities, including internet fraud, robbery, gun running, and child trafficking. Acting on a tip received on October 20, 2024, authorities raided a house where young boys, mostly recent secondary school graduates, were reportedly being trained to carry out online scams.
The ringleaders of the operation, identified as Ateh Anthony Idoko and Daniel Idoko, both 23 years old, were arrested along with nine others. Victims had their phones confiscated and were coerced into learning scam techniques, including romance fraud, under threats of violence. Those who resisted were physically assaulted, with reports of beatings involving horsewhips.
Police officers from Rantya Division carried out the raid, arresting eleven people in total, while efforts continue to apprehend other suspects who managed to flee.
Commissioner Adeshina emphasized that the police remain committed to bringing the perpetrators to justice and urged the public to remain vigilant.
