By Amuda Dan Sulaiman Fab
Worried by the rate at which youths in the country engage in Internet scam, the Lokoja local government chapter of the National Council of Muslim Youth Organisation, (NACOMYO), has held a summit to address the menace.
In his keynote address, at the NACOMYO 4th Islamic Summit held on Sunday at Majesty International College, Lokongoma, Lokoja, Ustaz Gimba Muhammad Taha, the local government chairman of organization, advised youths to acquire skills that can make them self- relaint and of engaging in internet fraud, popularly known as Yahoo-Yahoo.
Taha described Yahoo-Yahoo as a destructive practice that offers no lasting benefits and called on young people in the country, especially those in Kogi State, to focus on learning trades and acquiring skills that can guarantee sustainable livelihoods.
He said: “Let Yahoo-Yahoo stop in the land. Let our boys go and learn work. Today, in Canada and America, they are looking for artisans—carpenters, bricklayers and plumbers. These are skills that can sustain a person and build a future. Yahoo-Yahoo will not last. Easy come, easy go.”
He urged Muslim youths to use the internet for legitimate business, instead of engaging in cybercrime.
Taha also warned about the spiritual repercussions of engaging in fraudulent activities, stated that “the person you are stealing from is swearing for you. This is why our boys in Lokoja must abandon these harmful practices and embrace legitimate means of earning a living.”
In his remarks, the Kogi State Chairman of NACOMYO, Alhaji Sulaiman Dansoho, commended the Lokoja local government chapter of the association for it’s consistency in organising annual Islamic Summit calling on other local government chapters to emulate them.
Alhaji Abdullah Yusuf Ohikwura, the Matawale of Igu Kingdom who spoke in an interview with journalists shortly after participating in the 2025 Summit frowned at the way and manner Nigerian youths involve themselves in internet fraud and blood money rituals all in the quest for quick wealth and societal relevance.
Said Ohikwura: “Many recent realities and happenings in our dear nation, especially among our youths are not very palatable. In the quest for quick wealth and societal relevance, a massive percentage of our young brothers are on a mass exodus into internet frauds and blood money rituals. Many of our young sisters are equally now willing to do anything for money, and that includes prostitution and several unbelievable immoral behaviours on the internet and social media platforms.
“Parents have become helpless and are forced to accept and support their children in the fraudulent acts. We also have religious leaders who have become shameless beneficiaries of the ungodly proceeds. Some political and traditional leaders have equally become godfathers actually directing the criminalities with strong supports.
Ohikwura, who is also the treasurer of Kogi local government area, passionately appealed to parents to always watch the activities of their children.
The submit was attended by Islamic Scholars, traditional rulers, top government officials, Islamic groups and a host of others.
Highlights of the event was a guest lecture delivered by Ustaz Mansur Nayashi on Parenting and Internet Fraud In Our Society and drama displayed by secondary school students.
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