Besides being a popular elitist area on Lagos Island, the name Lekki confers on its residents influence, affluence and splendour. Living in communities within Lekki –Ajah is like being domiciled in an axis with one of the largest concentrations of men and women with deep pockets; those with the wherewithal, that make them the cynosure and envy of all in Lagos and beyond. It remains a dream place for many individuals living in Lagos because of its status symbol and the serene ambience it offers to its residents.
But, of late, these beautiful stories are being gradually tainted. The advent of internet fraudsters and men of the underworld, in the area is fast changing the positive narratives about this once beautiful axis. According to a verified security advisory released recently, two incidents of kidnapping were said to have been recorded in Ajah and Lekki, on September 27, this year.
While the first one involved an Air Vice Marshall Sikiru Oladimeji Smith (rtd), who was kidnapped at a worksite near Blenco Mall in Ajah around 6pm and taken away in a speedboat towards Ikorodu, another victim was kidnapped at Admiralty Way on his way from work, and whisked away to an unknown destination.
Curiously, besides being a hotbed for kidnappings and robberies nowadays, Lekki is also fast becoming a haven for cybercriminals. They seem to be increasingly finding the area attractive, and are, therefore, moving there in droves.
For instance, not too long ago, the nation’s anti-graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), dropped the bombshell when it described Lekki as the new hotbed of internet-related fraud. According to the commission’s spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, in a space of three months, April to June, the Commission recorded a total of 402 internet-related fraud arrests in the area.
“While the Advance Fee Fraud Section was responsible for 243 arrests, the Cyber Crime Section executed 18 sting operations, which resulted in 159 arrests, from which 13 convictions have so far been recorded,” he stated.
But, curious as this might sound, Uwujaren’s assertion might not be far from the truth. Nigerian Tribune’s investigations revealed that Lekki might truly be attaining the unholy status of being a huge abode to criminals, as evidenced in the upsurge in the influx and activities of internet fraudsters, popularly known as “Yahoo Boys” into Lekki. And residents of the area are not finding the notorious status their area has attained over the months funny.
A resident, John Obawole, in a chat with Nigerian Tribune, confirmed the exploits of the nation’s anti-graft agency in the area, of late.
“I quiet agree with the EFCC’s position. Yes, this place is fast becoming something else now, regarding internet-related fraud, little wonder the anti-graft agency has upped the ante in the area of late” Obawole, who had once fallen victim to the activities of cyber criminals, stated.
Obawole lives on the Ajah area of the Island, and he believes a sizable number of cyber criminals live in the area now. Mr. Biyi Adesuyi, another resident, is also wary of the activities of those internet fraudsters. He lives on the axis, and he once had some sizable amount of money wired from his account, sometimes ago, by these cyber thieves.
According to him, they are easily identifiable by the way they dress, move and spend money in the area.
“It’s worrisome, but that is the reality. They are all over here, and how you know them is the way they dress. They are a common spectacle at Lekki Mall, and they are easily identifiable by the way they dress. Their trousers are always sagged, and they move around in groups, always of youthful ages, predominantly males, but with one or two ladies with them,” he stated.
Adesuyi added that the way they go on a spending spree at the mall raises eyebrows about the source of such incomes.
“You see them buy assorted drinks, and other choice products, sometimes running to over N100, 000. And you see them with different payment cards when they are paying. One thing that is obvious is that there is no way somebody that truly worked for his money would spend such money the way you’ll see them spend money here,” Adesuyi added.
But why is Lekki suddenly becoming attractive to these cyber criminals? Is there anything that the community is offering this illicit job that they cannot find elsewhere within the metropolis?
Checks by Nigerian Tribune revealed that the reasons for such huge concentration of Yahoo boys in the area are multi-faceted. They range from “better security, urge for wider connection, flashy and ostentatious lifestyles, hidden identity, access to influential personalities, availability of luxurious hotels to clubs and other factors.
According to Melvin, who is presently undergoing an apprenticeship scheme in plumbing, many of those ‘bad guys’ that reside in Lekki now, actually have their roots in the Mainland. One of the reasons he gave is the fact that they always prefer a place where they can operate without being noticed.
“Some of them actually cut their teeth in the crime from the Mainland. For instance, if I had agreed when I was approached years ago, I would also have been living on the Island. This is because my friend’s dad, who wanted to buy us laptops we would be using for the trade, has since sent my friend, his son, to the Island. He doesn’t want him to be in an environment where those that know him very well, when he started, will suddenly begin to query his source of sudden wealth,” he stated.
Insider in the internet fraud ring in Lagos and Ogun State, who spoke with the Nigerian Tribune ,under the condition of anonymity said “that is where life is now .Big boys are relocating from Jakande Estate area in the Alimosho area of the state to Lekki. Bigger boys live in Ajah and Lekki now. Those who are not in Lekki are enjoying their lives in neighbouring African countries.
On why the mad rush for Lekki and Ajah area, the insider said “there are many reasons why big boys are relocating to Lekki . The first thing is security. You know many of them drive big cars and they are easily noticed by security agents, especially the police in Ogun and other parts of the mainland and Island in Lagos.
“You know that the police and other security agents do not know who is who in Lekki. Children of rich people in that area, who are not into internet fraud, also drive expensive cars and they are not harassed. Driving such vehicles in other parts of the city exposes them to harassment from security operatives but the presence of a large number of rich people, whose children also drive stylish and elegant vehicles is a protection for the boys,” he stated.
The source also identified the allure of nightlife in the axis, as another pulling factor.
“Another thing is the allure of nightlife in Lekki axis. The nightlife in that area cannot be compared to what we have in other places. There are numerous sophisticated nightclubs and hotels in the Lekki axis, where all these guys of shady characters can patronise without being noticed, more than anywhere in Lagos. Those are the places, where people go to enjoy life,” he added.
Another, the source added, is the fact that it is easier for the perpetrators of this fraud to get an accomplice that would serve as a clearing house easily on the axis.
“Lekki provides the perpetrator the opportunity to have influential picker .A picker is the person who helps the boys to get their money either from the banks or anywhere. There are many celebrities in Lekki now who are actually performing such role for internet fraudsters .They work on percentage, and get their commission at the end of every successful transaction,” he stated.
The source also added that the huge concentration of pickers in that environment is also informed by the fact that those pickers feel more secure, performing that role in Lekki than any other place.
“Pickers feel more secure in Lekki area than in other parts of Lagos and Ogun States. They are influential and they appear more knowledgeable in the business. They know their worth, and can easily find their way without harassment from anybody,” he added.
The opportunity of also ‘honing’ one’s skill in the illegal business is also in the Lekki and Ajah areas for grab.
“Lekki and Ajah are where you learn new techniques and build new connection. Any international fraudster that wants to come to Lagos will stay in Lekki or other highbrow parts of Lagos Island. There are a lot of things you can learn from people, who have more exposure and experience than you around that area. You may be a local champion in your area but, when you get to Lekki, you will meet your superior,” he stated.
The source also agrees with the fact that, until lately , the probability of being stalked in Lekki by eagle-eyed security men was very remote, unlike in other places where their lifestyles readily give them away.
“In Lekki, nobody stalks you unlike other areas. Many of these boys go there to hide their identities and still operate. They are easily noticed in other locations but not in Lekki. They always want a place where they will not be known or noticed and Lekki axis is such a place. Nobody knows your identity,” he stated.
Describing the development as unfortunate, a sociologist, Dr. Ojebiyi Sunday, sees it as a sad reflection of the rot in all the facets of the country’s life.
“The problem is much more fundamental. A situation where parents today encourage their children to go into the illicit business is quiet worrisome. Even the younger ones look up to these elements and see them as role models. So what does the society expect?” he queried.
Interestingly, unravelling the mystery surrounding the continued exodus of the Yahoo Boys to the Lagos Island might take some time. But one thing is certain, the elitist area of Lagos metropolis is booming with cyber criminals, and will need more intensive efforts from the relevant security agencies to regain its lost glory.
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