Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has reacted strongly to a recent report by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) alleging that a significant number of Nigerian university students are involved in internet fraud.

The EFCC had reportedly warned that cybercrime is becoming increasingly common among undergraduates, a development it described as a growing national concern requiring urgent attention from authorities, parents, and educational institutions.

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Reacting to the claim, Obi described the situation as deeply troubling, warning that Nigeria may be “raising a generation of fraudsters” if the trend is not urgently addressed.

According to him, if even a large fraction of the allegation is true, it signals not just a crime problem but a broader collapse of values and moral discipline in the country.

He stressed that young people do not operate in isolation, arguing that society, leadership, and institutions all play a role in shaping behaviour. Obi noted that when dishonesty appears to thrive without consequences, it sends the wrong message to the youth.

The former Anambra State governor also called for urgent reforms in governance, education, and value reorientation, insisting that integrity must be restored at all levels of society.

He added that the focus should not only be on condemning young people but on addressing the systems that influence their choices and actions.

Obi further urged leaders to set better examples, warning that a society cannot expect honesty from its youth if accountability is weak at the top.

The EFCC has continued to express concern over rising cybercrime cases in tertiary institutions, describing the trend as a threat to national development and security.

Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force have successfully rescued five students of Gateway Polytechnic, Saapade, following their abduction by gunmen in Ogun State.

The students were reportedly kidnapped late Monday night in the Sapade area of Remo North Local Government Area, triggering a swift response from security operatives after a distress call was received around 10:55 p.m. at the Ipara Police Division.

Upon arrival at the scene, officers discovered an ash-coloured Toyota vehicle riddled with bullet holes and stained with blood. Several mobile phones and personal belongings were also recovered from the abandoned car.

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Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Oluseyi Babaseyi, said an identity card found at the scene linked the victims to Gateway Polytechnic, prompting an immediate escalation and a full-scale rescue operation.

The Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, subsequently ordered the deployment of tactical units in what he described as an intelligence-driven mission to secure the students’ release.

Security teams drawn from the Isara Area Command, Ipara Division, SWAT, Anti-Kidnapping Unit, Violent Crime Response Unit, Quick Response Squad, and Operation MESA were mobilised for coordinated bush-combing and tracking operations across suspected escape routes.

The sustained pressure paid off on April 28, when the students were rescued unhurt from their captors.

According to the police, the kidnappers engaged operatives in a gun duel during the rescue effort but were overpowered by superior firepower, forcing them to flee with suspected gunshot wounds. No casualties were recorded among security personnel.

“The victims were immediately evacuated, debriefed, and taken for medical attention due to the conditions they endured while in captivity,” Babaseyi added.

Commending the operatives, Ojajuni praised their gallantry and professionalism, noting that their swift coordination was instrumental to the success of the mission.

He assured residents that efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects, with intensified bush-combing operations already underway.

The police also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements, emphasizing that community cooperation remains critical in the fight against crime.

The government of France has issued an urgent directive to its citizens in Mali, advising them to leave the country immediately following a fresh wave of violent attacks.

In a travel advisory released on Wednesday, the French foreign ministry described the security situation in Mali as “extremely volatile,” citing recent assaults carried out by jihadist groups and Tuareg separatist fighters over the weekend.

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According to the statement, all travel to Mali remains strongly discouraged regardless of purpose, as authorities warned that the risk to foreign nationals has significantly increased.

“French nationals are advised to make arrangements to leave Mali temporarily as soon as possible on the commercial flights that are still available,” the ministry said.

The advisory comes amid renewed concerns over instability in the Sahel region, where armed groups have continued to intensify their operations despite years of military interventions.

President Emmanuel Macron has repeatedly expressed concern over the deteriorating security climate in Mali, particularly following the withdrawal of foreign forces and the growing influence of insurgent factions.

Mali has been grappling with insecurity since 2012, as jihadist insurgency, separatist tensions, and political unrest continue to undermine stability in the country.