The Northern Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. John Hayab, has cautioned young people against engaging in cybercrime and ritual-related activities, warning that wealth acquired through dishonest means can never bring lasting prosperity.
Speaking in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Tuesday, Hayab expressed concern over the growing participation of youths in internet fraud and ritual practices, commonly referred to as “Yahoo Yahoo” and “Yahoo Plus.”
He explained that while Christianity does not condemn wealth creation, it strongly warns against greed and immoral pursuits. According to him, money obtained through deceit or violence ultimately destroys the individual rather than enriches them.
He stressed that cybercrime and ritual killings involve taking what does not belong to one, describing such acts as theft that must be completely rejected. Hayab added that it is even more troubling when young people justify these crimes as a way of keeping up with others involved in similar behaviour.
The cleric further noted that the use of mild or technical terms often hides the seriousness of these crimes. He said actions like financial fraud may sound less severe when described with formal language, but in reality, they amount to stealing.
He warned that continued involvement in such acts could turn young people into dangerous elements in society, capable of kidnapping, exploitation, and ritual violence. According to him, once killing becomes a means of making money, humanity and inner peace are completely lost.
Hayab attributed the rise in youth criminality to the decline of strong parental guidance, noting that some parents now tolerate or even celebrate the illegal activities of their children. He described this as a sign of deep moral decay in society, although he acknowledged that some parents still firmly reject such behaviour.
He cautioned that if society fails to address this issue, individuals raised on ill-gotten wealth could eventually seek political power and use stolen resources to buy their way into leadership positions, worsening governance challenges in the country.
The CAN leader urged parents to instil values such as diligence, honesty, integrity, and hard work in their children, calling on Nigerians collectively to confront and reject cybercrime.
Hayab, who also serves as the Country Director of the Global Peace Foundation, said the organisation prioritises youth development as part of its mission. He explained that the foundation promotes girl-child education, believing that educated girls will grow into responsible mothers capable of raising disciplined and compassionate children.
He added that through mentorship and educational support, the organisation helps young girls stay in school and complete their education, noting that this reduces the risk of them being drawn into criminal networks linked to internet fraudsters.
(NAN)