The Chairperson of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has shared a shocking encounter with a 17-year-old cybercrime suspect who hacked into his computer. Olukoyede recounted the incident on Tuesday during the launch of a 24/7 Cybercrime Rapid Response Desk in Abuja, highlighting the boy’s surprising technical abilities and the broader societal issues driving such criminal activities.
The suspect, whose name was not disclosed, is a first-year university student studying history, yet he demonstrated advanced computer skills that left Olukoyede in disbelief. “I gave him my laptop and asked him to show me how he does it. Without even having my password, he decoded my system in no time,” Olukoyede said, emphasizing the boy’s remarkable proficiency.
Olukoyede noted that the boy had asked him which bank he used, suggesting he could access his accounts, but the EFCC chairperson stopped him from proceeding. Intrigued by the boy’s motivation, Olukoyede asked why he engaged in cybercrime. The boy explained that he had no other choice, as he needed to pay his school fees.
Reflecting on the encounter, Olukoyede stressed that addressing cybercrime requires more than just legal enforcement. “This job can’t be left to EFCC alone. It’s a collective responsibility,” he said, underscoring the importance of redirecting such talents from criminality to productivity.
He concluded by urging society to “change the narrative—from criminality to productivity and from cybercrime to cyberwealth,” advocating for efforts to channel these skills into positive endeavors that benefit both the individuals involved and society at large.
