The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has uncovered another chilling twist in the rising trend of ritual-linked internet fraud, revealing how a young man allegedly killed and buried his own mother alive in a desperate attempt to “cash out.”
The shocking revelation came from the Acting Zonal Director of the EFCC, Makurdi Office, ACE I Effa Imo Okim, during a visit to the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Benue State.
During the interactive session, NUJ Chairman Bemdoo Ugber questioned whether the agency had abandoned its fight against politically exposed persons to focus heavily on cyberfraud suspects. But Okim dismissed the insinuation, insisting the EFCC remains fully engaged on all corruption fronts.
He noted, however, that the renewed heat on internet fraudsters is due to their rapid descent into violent and ritual-based crimes, a trend he described as deeply disturbing.
According to Okim, many so-called “Yahoo boys” now seek supernatural empowerment, often through brutal rituals involving relatives. He cited a recent viral case where a young undergraduate allegedly buried his mother alive after joining a cult-like group that promised him wealth.
The Zonal Director narrated how the suspect returned home during holidays, dug a shallow grave, and attacked his mother under the guise of spending time with her. He reportedly hit her with a heavy object, tied her up, dragged her into the grave and covered her with sand—all according to the ritualist’s instructions.
Okim said the incident remains one of the most horrifying examples of the “dark evolution” of internet fraud, warning that society may be heading for a dangerous future if urgent action is not taken.
He urged parents, school authorities and community leaders to pay closer attention to the behavioural patterns of young people, stressing that early intervention could prevent such tragic outcomes.
