Olumayowa Samuel
The Plateau State Police Command has apprehended 11 suspected internet fraudsters, commonly referred to as “Yahoo boys,” during a raid on a residence in Rantya, Jos South Local Government Area. The suspects were arrested following a tip-off from concerned residents about ongoing fraud-related activities in the area.
Commissioner of Police Emmanuel Adesina announced the arrests while parading the suspects, who were detained along with individuals involved in other criminal activities, including armed robbery, kidnapping, and gunrunning. The operation occurred on Sunday after authorities received reports about a so-called “Yahoo academy” that was allegedly training new recruits.
According to the police, the academy was being run by two principal suspects, 23-year-olds Ateh Anthony Idoko and Daniel Idoko, who were accused of trafficking young secondary school graduates. These recruits were reportedly locked in a secluded residence, where their phones were confiscated, and they were taught various cybercrime techniques, including romance scams. The suspects allegedly used intimidation tactics, including physical abuse, to ensure compliance.
“On October 20, 2024, at approximately 10:30 a.m., we received a report about individuals conspiring to traffic young boys to a hidden location. Once there, they were forced to participate in online fraud activities, with severe consequences for those who refused to comply,” stated Commissioner Adesina.
In the aftermath of the raid, Ateh Anthony, the head of the alleged academy and a third-year student at the University of Jos, admitted to the criminal activities, asserting that all recruits had voluntarily agreed to participate. He explained that the group restricted the recruits’ movements to avoid detection by law enforcement.
“We teach them how to defraud people; it is cybercrime. All those who came to the house agreed to participate willingly. We did not force anyone,” Anthony claimed. He added that they kept the recruits confined to prevent any suspicion from arising.
The police continue to investigate the case, aiming to dismantle the broader network involved in these fraudulent activities.
