EFCC warns Nigerian girls against rising sextortion, cybercrime
EFCC
Abdullateef Fowewe
The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has warned young Nigerian girls against the growing menace of sextortion, urging them to protect their integrity and avoid being used as tools by online fraudsters.
This was made known in a statement by the EFCC on Tuesday.
Olukoyede gave the warning in Abuja on Monday, at an event marking the International Day of the Girl Child, organised by the African Girl Guild (AGG) under the theme, “Invest in her, Empower her and Let her Lead.”
He was represented by the Head of the EFCC’s Enlightenment and Re-orientation Unit, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE I Aisha Muhammed.
The EFCC boss said sextortion incidents were increasing in Nigeria, with criminals exploiting girls’ vulnerable moments to extort money from them.
“Girls need to be careful about relationships and not fall into the antics of criminals and sextortionists.
“Integrity in a relationship will safeguard you against such villains,” Olukoyede said.
He added, “A girl with integrity will always outlast a girl with only make-up. Your integrity is your crown. Do not sell it cheap.”
Sextortion typically involves offenders obtaining intimate images or information from victims and threatening to release them unless money or further sexual material is provided.
The warning came as the global community marked the 2026 International Day of the Girl Child, whose United Nations theme is “End child marriage and invest in girls’ rights!”
Olukoyede also cautioned girls against cybercrime, warning that acting as account mules for internet fraudsters or participating in online blackmail could damage both their futures and Nigeria’s reputation.
“If you engage in cybercrime; if you become an account mule for Yahoo boys; if you blackmail people online, you are not just committing a crime, you are destroying Nigeria’s image, the same Nigeria you will need for a lot of things,” he said.
He urged girls to pursue lawful means of earning, including technology, tailoring, baking, content creation and coding, while also developing financial discipline.
“Not everything you earn is for squandering, save at least a certain percentage like 20%, know your needs and wants. Financial awareness is self-defence. Don’t let anyone use your account to commit fraud. That account in your name can take you to prison,” he said.
The EFCC chairman said self-reliance would strengthen girls against exploitation and manipulation.
“An empowered girl is not waiting for someone to rescue her, she is educated; she is skilled; financially independent and because she is independent, nobody can buy her conscience,” he stated.
He disclosed that the Commission had established Integrity Clubs and Zero Tolerance Clubs in schools across Nigeria to groom students as “ambassadors of integrity” in their schools and communities.
Also speaking, Denen Petronella, Executive Assistant to Jindu Peter, founder of the African Girl Guild, said investing in girls required more than encouragement.
“At African Girl Guide, we believe a girl should not only be prepared for her future; she should be given the confidence, support and opportunities to help shape it,” she said.
The organisation announced the launch of the AGG Camp Amani School Club, which Petronella said would provide girls with a continuous platform “to learn, build leadership and life skills, develop confidence and explore opportunities throughout the school year.”
The event was attended by representatives of ministries, agencies, departments, institutions and secondary-school students from within Abuja.
The International Day of the Girl Child is observed annually on October 11 to promote girls’ rights, leadership and protection from exploitation.
The 2026 global theme focuses on ending child marriage and expanding investment in girls’ education, safety and opportunities.
Olukoyede’s warning aligns with broader concerns over online exploitation in Nigeria, where authorities have repeatedly cautioned young people against internet fraud, identity misuse and digital blackmail.
The EFCC’s school-based integrity initiative is part of efforts to prevent young Nigerians from being recruited into cybercrime networks.
