EFCC Raises Alarm Over Visa Racketeering, Cybercrimes in Kaduna
From Rabi’u Ahmadu, Kaduna
The Acting Zonal Director of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Kaduna Zonal Directorate, Bawa Usman Kaltungo, has expressed concern over the rising cases of visa racketeering, cybercrimes, and illegal mining activities in Kaduna State.
Kaltungo, who led his management team on a courtesy visit to the Executive Officials of the Kaduna State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) on Friday, appreciated the longstanding support the Commission has received from the media and called for its continued collaboration.
During the visit, Kaltungo highlighted three major areas of concern: the alarming increase in cybercrimes among youth, widespread visa fraud, particularly during religious pilgrimages, and illegal mining activities linked to security challenges such as banditry and terrorism.
Kaltungo lamented that cybercrimes are becoming rampant among the youth in Kaduna, posing a serious threat to the nation’s future leadership. He emphasized the EFCC’s renewed strategy to curb the menace, warning that if left unchecked, the rise in cybercrimes could lead to a generation of corrupt leaders.
“You will notice a renewed vigor in our fight against cybercrime, especially because our youths, who are supposed to be leaders of tomorrow, are getting increasingly involved in fraudulent activities,” he stated.
The EFCC Zonal Director also revealed that visa racketeering is on the rise, especially around the time of Lesser Hajj (Umrah) and other pilgrimage periods. Unscrupulous travel agents and individuals defraud intending travelers by promising visas and international passports, only to abscond with their money.
“This illegal business is growing alarmingly in Kaduna, and regrettably, even married women are getting involved,” Kaltungo said. He urged couples to advise one another against engaging in such fraudulent activities, warning that the EFCC would not hesitate to prosecute anyone found culpable, regardless of their status.
Furthermore, Kaltungo raised alarm over the surge in illegal mining activities in Kaduna State. He stressed that mining operations without a license from the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development are illegal and often linked to funding criminal activities such as terrorism and banditry.
“Mining is exclusively a federal government preserve. Anyone engaged in mining without appropriate licenses will face prosecution,” he warned.
Kaltungo appealed to journalists to always seek clarification from the Commission when reporting on sensitive matters to avoid misrepresentation that could tarnish the EFCC’s image. He stressed that journalists are strategic partners in the fight against corruption.
In his welcome address, the Chairman of the NUJ Kaduna Council, Abdulgafar Alabelewe, assured the EFCC of the union’s unwavering support. He affirmed that journalists, by their professional duty, are committed to promoting social responsibility and accountability.
“We have enjoyed good working relations with the Kaduna Directorate of the EFCC, and we will continue to collaborate with you to educate the public against engaging in crimes,” Alabelewe said.
