EFCC: Nigerians Face Visa Limits Amid Cybercrime Surge

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has warned that the rising wave of cybercrime is prompting stricter visa restrictions for Nigerians traveling abroad.

EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, explained that fraudulent activities not only jeopardize the future of those involved but also harm Nigeria’s international reputation, leading to tougher travel conditions for law-abiding citizens. His remarks were delivered on Monday in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, during an event organized by the Coalition of Nigerian Youth on Security and Safety Affairs, and released in a statement on Tuesday.

According to the EFCC, crimes such as internet fraud, money laundering, and economic sabotage drain billions of naira annually, slowing national development and denying citizens access to essential infrastructure, jobs, and opportunities. Olukoyede emphasized that beyond the financial impact, these activities tarnish Nigeria’s image, exposing innocent Nigerians to harsher scrutiny when applying for visas.

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He urged young Nigerians, particularly in the South-South, to focus on legitimate avenues such as technology, entrepreneurship, agriculture, and the creative industry. “Fraud is not success; it is a trap. What comes easily often goes just as fast. Many who embrace cybercrime end up losing their freedom, reputation, and future. The law is catching up with them, and digital footprints never disappear,” Olukoyede said.

Other security representatives at the event highlighted additional threats. Mathew Ewah of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) warned that drug abuse poses a serious danger to youths, while the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) cautioned against pipeline vandalism in the region.

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The EFCC has recently intensified efforts to curb cybercrime nationwide. In August, operatives from its Lagos Zonal Directorate arrested 38 suspected fraudsters at Mambillah Hotel in Ikorodu, recovering cars, mobile devices, and suspected narcotics. In Edo State, the Benin Zonal Directorate secured the conviction of 12 individuals, including two brothers, for advance fee fraud and possession of fraudulent documents, with the court ordering the confiscation of assets linked to their crimes.