EFCC warns Nigerian girls against sextortion, cybercrime

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has warned young Nigerian girls against sextortion and involvement in cybercrime, urging them to protect their integrity and avoid being used by internet fraudsters.

According to EFCC on X, the Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, gave the warning in Abuja on Monday, October 12, 2026, at an event organised by the African Girl Guild to mark the International Day of the Girl Child.

The event had the theme, “Invest in Her, Empower Her and Let Her Lead.”

Olukoyede, who was represented by the Head of the commission’s Enlightenment and Re-orientation Unit, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, Aisha Muhammed, said criminals exploited vulnerable moments in relationships to extort money from young women.

Girls need to be careful about relationships and not fall into the antics of criminals and sextortionists. Integrity in a relationship will safeguard you against such villains. A girl with integrity will always outlast a girl with only make-up. Your integrity is your crown. Do not sell it cheap,” he said.

The EFCC chairman also warned young girls against engaging in cybercrime, including acting as account mules for internet fraudsters and blackmailing people online.

“If you engage in cybercrime; if you become an account mule for Yahoo boys; if you blackmail people online, you are not just committing a crime, you are destroying Nigeria’s image, the same Nigeria you will need for a lot of things,” he said.

Olukoyede urged girls to become responsible citizens by reporting wrongdoing, volunteering and respecting the law.

“A responsible girl child reports wrongdoing, she volunteers, she respects the law, she knows that she is a stakeholder in Project Nigeria,” he said.

He encouraged young girls to acquire practical skills, earn money legally and develop good saving habits, listing technology, tailoring, baking, content creation and coding among the skills they could learn.

“As young girls, you must learn how to earn legally. Learn a skill, tech, tailoring, baking, content creation, coding. Not everything you earn is for squandering, save at least a certain percentage like 20%, know your needs and wants. Financial awareness is self-defence. Don’t let anyone use your account to commit fraud. That account in your name can take you to prison,” he said.

The EFCC chairman said financial independence could help girls resist exploitation and make responsible decisions about their futures.

“An empowered girl is not waiting for someone to rescue her, she is educated; she is skilled; financially independent and because she is independent, nobody can buy her conscience,” he said.

He added that the commission had established Integrity Clubs and Zero Tolerance Clubs in schools across Nigeria to promote ethical conduct among young people.

“We want you to become ambassadors of integrity in your schools and communities,” he said.