In every democratic society, civic rights—such as freedom of speech, assembly, and protest—are sacred. They empower the people to demand accountability, fairness, and justice. However, when these rights are misused to shield criminal behavior or promote illegitimate causes, they become distorted tools of manipulation rather than pillars of democracy. This is the inconvenient truth we face today in our battle against cybercrime, particularly the rising tide of internet fraud, popularly known as “Yahoo Yahoo.”
Across Nigeria and other parts of Africa, the arrest of youths involved in internet fraud has become increasingly common. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has intensified its clampdown on these activities, and rightly so. These so-called “Yahoo boys” are not rebels fighting for justice—they are criminals exploiting technology to deceive, steal, and destroy lives, both locally and internationally. The damage they inflict on our society is immense, and their actions are a direct affront to our moral, economic, and legal fabric.
Some of these individuals attempt to cloak their actions under the guise of civic protest, staging rallies or campaigns to claim victimhood. They invoke civic rights as a shield against accountability, framing their arrests as political oppression rather than legal consequence. This narrative is both dangerous and misleading. It undermines the real essence of civic rights and threatens the integrity of the legitimate struggles for social justice. Using the sacred platform of protest to justify or defend fraud is a perversion of the very rights they claim to uphold.
We must not lose sight of the real victims—millions of people, both home and abroad, who have suffered emotionally, financially, and psychologically due to internet fraud. Lives have been ruined, businesses have collapsed, and trust in digital platforms has been deeply eroded. These victims deserve justice, not silence or sympathy for their aggressors.
The EFCC and other law enforcement agencies play a crucial role in restoring trust and discipline within our society. Their efforts to combat cybercrime should not only be supported but applauded. It is not an easy task, especially when public perception is manipulated and sentiments are stirred to paint criminals as martyrs.
It is time we collectively reject the glorification of internet fraud. It is not “hustle”—it is theft. It is not a protest—it is a crime. And civic rights should never be the sanctuary for criminality. Let us protect our democracy, not by defending those who undermine it, but by standing with the victims, supporting our institutions, and demanding a future built on integrity, not deceit.
In confronting this inconvenient truth, we safeguard the soul of our society. Civic rights must be preserved—but so must justice.
Rev. David Ugolor
