Against the backdrop of frequent harassment and arrest of suspected youths under the guise of being Yahoo boys, on the contrary, poll results have now shown increased support for the commission’s new helmsman.
By our reporters.
Research by our reporters across the six geopolitical zones has revealed a startling surprise: Nigerians are impressed with the operational conduct of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission since the mantle of leadership fell on the laps of Ola Olukoyede’ The poll further lends credence to the appreciation of Nigerians over the ongoing arrest and prosecution of Yahoo boys by officials of the anti-graft agency! In the survey conducted between June and July 2024, 65% of Nigerians roundly applauded the EFCC Chairman for introducing sanity into the agency and largely depoliticizing the place; they also lauded the boss for trying to curtail the dreadful practice getting rich overnight by unscrupulous persons!
They said the anguish and pain suffered by victims were incalculable and only a drastic measure would suffice to confront the menace. In recent times, there have been increasing reports about the activities of Yahoo boys and ritualists with several deaths being recorded not to mention those reportedly raped and duped. The disturbing practice became almost a trend with youths between 18 and 35 largely indulging in the practice. As frustrating as the end product of the scam, law enforcement agents found it frustrating to bring those involved to book. The insinuation was that officials weren’t as dedicated and attended cases with a lip service approach; however, with the new leadership in place there is a gleamer of hope; Youths have now been smoked out of their hideouts wherever they are in Night Clubs, Hotels and even their houses and offices.
Those caught parading suspicious ornament are immediately hauled in for questioning including those driving flashy cars and found wanting. Because of social media’s proliferation, the EFCC faced tremendous backlash with a broad section of youths calling for the scrapping. This prompted the poll which has now passed a vote of confidence on the commission! In the poll which subjected questions across the genders –males and females–, the answers were unanimous: EFCC was on the right track! Nigerians want the humiliating experience with the yahoo boys to stop. While 20% of respondents called for stiffer punishment, 10% urged for caution and the remaining 5% were non-committal. But the majority agreed that the present chairman Ola Olukoyede has given the commission the much-needed facelift by removing the toga of corruption, tribalism, and nepotism! The poll result shows the chairman to be responsible and impartial.
They say, with his appointment as the chairman, the confidence reposed on the commission and withdrawn in the previous dispensation of erstwhile bosses has now resurfaced! Whereas the respondents disapprove of a blanket punishment for scammers, they however approve of stiff punishment, strong enough to act as a deterrent to incoming generations. They however want the EFCC not to lose the momentum sustained but to remain focused to the extent that the country’s battered image will be restored! As a result, this may well be the signal for Ola Olukoyede to prove his mettle and the confidence reposed on him by Nigerians.
