The chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ola Olukoyede, has warned Nigerian girls against dating sextortionists and criminals, urging them to be careful about relationships.

Mr Olukoyede gave the warning in Abuja on Monday, at an event to mark the International Girl-Child Day, organised by the African Girl Guild, AGG, with the theme “Invest in her, Empower her and Let her Lead.”

The anti-graft agency’s chair, represented by the head of the EFCC’s enlightenment and reorientation unit, Aisha Muhammed, decried the rising incidents of sextortion in the country.

“Girls need to be careful about relationships and not fall into the antics of criminals and sextortionists. Integrity in a relationship will safeguard you against such villains. 

“A girl with integrity will always outlast a girl with only make-up. Your integrity is your crown. Do not sell it cheap,” Mr Olukoyede warned.

He further noted that criminal elements involved in the crime take advantage of the vulnerable moments of the female gender to extort money from them.

“If you engage in cybercrime; if you become an account mule for Yahoo boys; if you blackmail people online, you are not just committing a crime; you are destroying Nigeria’s image, the same Nigeria you will need for a lot of things,” Mr Olukoyede said.

The anti-graft agency’s czar urged them to be responsible citizens to avoid making themselves available to fraudsters.

“A responsible girl child reports wrongdoing, she volunteers, she respects the law, and she knows that she is a stakeholder in Project Nigeria. As young girls, you must learn how to earn legally. Learn a skill: tech, tailoring, baking, content creation, or coding. 

“Not everything you earn is for squandering; save at least a certain percentage, like 20 per cent, and know your needs and wants. Financial awareness is self-defence. Don’t let anyone use your account to commit fraud. That account in your name can take you to prison,” he added.

He also said the commission has established Integrity Clubs and Zero Tolerance Clubs in schools across Nigeria and asked young girls to sign up and become ambassadors for the clubs in their schools.

In her remarks, Denen Petronella, executive assistant to Jindu Peter, founder of African Girl Guide, said investing in the girl-child means giving her confidence, knowledge, skills, protection, mentorship, and opportunities to discover her potential.