
In less than eight days, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, in collaboration with the Nigerian Immigration Service, has deported 93 foreign nationals convicted of cyberterrorism and Internet fraud.
The commission, in a statement on Thursday via its official X handle, disclosed that the latest deportees comprise 50 Chinese nationals and one Tunisian.
“The convicts are among the 192 foreign nationals arrested during a sting operation by the commission in Lagos, following actionable intelligence about the operations of one of the largest foreign-led cybercrime syndicates in Nigeria,” the statement read in part.
This brings the total number of deportees to 93 since the exercise began on August 15, 2025, the commission disclosed.
Earlier, 42 Chinese and Philippine nationals, part of the 192 convicted of cyberterrorism and Ponzi scheme offences, were expelled.
They had been among the 759 persons arrested during a major raid on December 10, 2024, at Oyin Jolayemi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The EFCC notes that more deportations are expected in the coming days.
It also explained that the convicts ran an extensive cyberfraud and Ponzi network, training employees of Genting International Co. Limited in fraudulent practices and defrauding victims using false identities.
After the first batch of the exercise, the EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, had hailed the deportations as a landmark in Nigeria’s anti-corruption efforts.
“These convictions send a strong signal that Nigeria will not serve as a haven for cybercriminals,” he said.
“The commission remains committed to intensifying investigations, recovering stolen funds, and restoring national dignity in line with President Bola Tinubu’s anti-corruption drive.”
The charges against the convicts were filed under the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006.
PUNCH.