Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have dismantled a disturbing cybercrime training hub in the Federal Capital Territory, arresting 31 suspects in a dramatic sting operation.

The raid, carried out on Thursday, April 9, 2026, targeted a covert “Yahoo Academy” hidden within Becki Estate in Karu, on the outskirts of Abuja. Among those apprehended were two alleged masterminds and dozens of young recruits undergoing intensive training in internet fraud.

Recovered at the scene were multiple mobile phones, 18 laptops, and other digital devices believed to have been used for fraudulent activities.

Preliminary investigations paint a troubling picture: several of the recruits were reportedly lured from Benue State with promises of legitimate employment. Instead, they found themselves trapped in a tightly controlled environment where they were equipped with gadgets and software designed to groom them into cybercriminals.

Sources reveal that the academy operated like a closed camp. Recruits were housed on-site, their movements heavily restricted, and their personal phones confiscated effectively cutting them off from family and the outside world. Even more alarming were reports of strict enforcement tactics, including physical punishment for those who resisted or failed to comply.

The EFCC has confirmed that all suspects will face prosecution once investigations are complete, as authorities intensify efforts to dismantle organized cybercrime networks across the country.

This latest bust sheds light on the evolving tactics of fraud syndicates and the urgent need to protect vulnerable youths from falling into their trap.