EFCC arrests 74 fraudsters in Abuja as operatives storm Joyous Hotel, Nyanya, recovering phones, motorcycles, and a pistol. Suspects to face court soon

EFCC arrests 74 fraudsters in Abuja as Nigeria’s anti-corruption agency continues its crackdown on internet-related crimes across the country.

Also read: N8.5 billion bank fraud: EFCC arraigns three bankers, four suspects in Lagos

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission confirmed the arrests following a Monday morning operation in Nyanya, a suburb of the Federal Capital Territory.

According to the EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, the operation targeted Joyous Hotel, believed to be a hotspot for cybercrime activity. The raid yielded significant results, with 74 suspects taken into custody and a trove of incriminating materials recovered at the scene.

“Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested 74 suspected internet fraudsters,” Oyewale said in a statement released on Monday.

Items recovered during the raid include 86 mobile phones, a locally made pistol, and three motorcycles. The presence of a firearm has raised broader security concerns, prompting speculation that some of the suspects may face additional charges related to unlawful possession of weapons.

This development comes just weeks after a similar EFCC operation led to the arrest of 120 suspected internet fraudsters in Lagos, underlining the agency’s renewed nationwide effort to clamp down on cybercrime rings.

Residents in Nyanya expressed shock over the raid, noting that the hotel had operated quietly for months. “Nobody suspected anything this serious was going on in that hotel,” said a local shop owner who witnessed the early-morning arrest. “The EFCC just came in suddenly with their vans and started making arrests.”

The suspects, whose identities have not been made public, are currently in EFCC custody pending further investigation. Oyewale confirmed that they would be arraigned in court but did not provide a specific date for the prosecution to commence.

Analysts say the operation reflects EFCC’s strategy of targeting areas outside Nigeria’s major cities, where cybercrime syndicates are increasingly relocating to evade detection.

“The fact that 74 people were arrested in one location shows how deeply rooted this network is becoming,” said security expert Ibrahim Lawal. “It’s no longer just about Lagos and Port Harcourt. These groups are now operating in remote and suburban areas.”

EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede has previously pledged to pursue cybercriminals without fear or favour, stating that the agency is committed to safeguarding Nigeria’s digital space and reputation.

The arrests also come at a time when international scrutiny of Nigeria’s online fraud ecosystem has intensified, with global tech companies and financial institutions seeking stronger assurances on data security and transaction integrity.

Dele Oyewale reiterated the commission’s position that all suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty, but emphasised that evidence recovered during the raid will be used to build strong cases against those involved.

While some critics argue that the EFCC’s tactics have occasionally resulted in unlawful arrests, public reaction to this latest raid has been largely supportive. Many Nigerians, frustrated by the growing trend of cybercrime and its negative global implications, applauded the agency’s decisive action.

“What the EFCC did is commendable,” said Chika Onwuegbuchi, a lawyer in Abuja. “Internet fraud is damaging the image of the country, and strong steps like this are necessary to send a message that the law is still effective.”

As investigations continue, the agency has urged the public to report suspicious cyber activity and to remain alert to the growing sophistication of online scams.

Also read: EFCC arrests suspected internet fraudster over bank account scheme

The EFCC maintains that its fight against financial crimes is ongoing and calls for collective effort to restore integrity to Nigeria’s digital landscape.