In a coordinated early-morning operation on Monday, August 25, 2025, Nigeria’s

In a coordinated early-morning operation on Monday, August 25, 2025, Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) executed a dawn raid in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, leading to the arrest of seven individuals suspected of internet fraud, commonly referred to as “Yahoo boys” .

Vanguard reports that's the operatives, acting on credible intelligence intelligence, descended upon two locations—Uyeh Heaven and Ayam Estates, along Ring Road 3. The suspected cyber fraudsters were taken into custody without resistance. Among the items seized were five laptops, ten mobile phones, and one iPad, tools investigators believe were used to perpetrate online scams targeting both domestic and international victims .

EFCC's Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, confirmed that the suspects are currently under custody  and that charges will be brought against them once investigations are  concluded.

This operation adds to a wave of intensified anti-cybercrime efforts by the EFCC. Earlier this month, the agency deported 50 Chinese and one Tunisian accused of cyberterrorism and fraud, as part of sweeping raids targeting international syndicates — over 100 individuals have now been deported since August 15 .

Nigeria’s battle against internet fraud is both a public safety and reputation issue. With hundreds of scammers and fraud syndicates operating centrally from cities like Lagos and Uyo, the EFCC continues to prioritize dismantling these networks through arrests, convictions, and deportations.

Stricter enforcement puts would-be scammers on notice—these raids highlight that cybercrime carries serious legal risks.

Reform isn’t just punitive—calls for preventive action like public education, youth empowerment, and robust digital literacy are growing louder. Impact on fraud ecosystem—raids like this may slow scam operations and foster investor confidence in Nigeria’s cyber law enforcement.

As investigations proceed, focus will shift to the identities of the suspects, their networks, and court outcomes. Public sentiment is increasingly supportive of EFCC’s actions, though voices argue alongside enforcement needs, deeper systemic solutions such as job creation and youth empowerment must also be addressed.