Lagos, April 2, 2025 – The Lagos State Police Command has successfully busted and shut down a notorious internet fraud training center, notoriously known as a “Yahoo School”, located in the Iju area of the state.

Lagos State Police Command’s spokesperson, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed in a statement on Tuesday that a “Yahoo School” in the Iju area had been dismantled. The operation resulted in the arrest of 10 individuals, including four yahoo experts and six trainees. The experts, aged 22, 23, 25, and 26, were allegedly running the notorious school.

Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Moshood Jimoh

The six additional suspects, ranging in age from 12 to 26, were trainees at the facility, where they were being taught how to commit cybercrimes and fraud. Preliminary investigations revealed that the facility’s operators recruited their trainees from Anambro State and instructed them to carry out internet fraud and related crimes.

The principal suspects allegedly confiscated the proceeds from the trainees’ fraudulent activities, according to Hundeyin. He added that all suspects have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Yaba for thorough investigation and prosecution.

The authorities are working to identify and arrest additional accomplices. Specifically, efforts are underway to apprehend the sponsors who funded the trainees’ enrollment in the illicit program, as well as the owner of the facility where these criminal activities occurred.

The owner of the facility has been issued a warning to surrender himself immediately at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Yaba, regardless of his current location, in order to cooperate with the investigation.

CSP Hundeyin assured that upon completion of the investigation, all suspects would be prosecuted in court. He also noted that the 12-year-old suspect, who had visible injuries, was receiving medical attention.

In line with due process of the law, the underage suspect with injuries allegedly inflicted on him by the main principal suspect to compel him into the commission of the criminal acts, is being given medical attention.

The underage suspect is currently in protective custody until his relatives can be located and reunited with him. The police spokesperson urged parents and guardians to closely monitor their children’s activities to prevent them from being exploited or coerced into criminal behaviour

Hundeyin is urging anyone who’s been a victim of the fraudulent activities of this criminal syndicate to come forward and report their complaints at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Yaba.

The State Commissioner of Police, CP Olohundare Jimoh, has commended the police personnel involved in the operation for their exceptional dedication and professionalism, which led to the successful apprehension of the suspects

The Commissioner of Police assures Lagos residents that the command is firmly committed to fighting all types of crimes, including cybercrime tagged “yahoo”, etc.

The Commissioner of Police encourages all residents to report any suspicious activities or incidents to their local police authorities, ensuring a swift response.