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….Parents enrolling wards to learn the ‘art of fraud’
….EFCC Boss: We’re losing our next generation to crime
Nigeria has in recent years hit a dark turn, with a troubling phenomenon that is not only silently eroding the moral fabric of its society but also endangering the lives and future of its young people.
The rise of what many young people simply identify as HK is ripping through the youth population of Nigeria, fostering and spreading a culture of diversified crimes, building networks and functional underworld structures, while the authorities are still chasing after the effects and not the root cause.
The full meaning of HK is not certain but most people our correspondents spoke to know it as ‘Hustlers’ Kingdom’, while others either called it ‘Home of Knowledge’ or ‘Home of Kings’.
Whatever name it is called, the acronym ‘HK’ is all over the place on the streets and is evidently known to represent ‘a grooming ground of young people, for cybercrime, online fraud and several other heinous and inhuman crimes that have profound negative impact on Nigeria and its youth population’.
To say the least, HK is overturning traditional values and promoting a culture of remorseless criminality among young people.
The Corruption of Values and Norms
HK has become a breeding ground for a twisted value system that glorifies quick wealth and material success at any cost. Young people, often disillusioned by the lack of legitimate opportunities, are lured into this world with promises of easy money and a lavish lifestyle. The allure of instant gratification overshadows the importance of hard work, integrity, and ethical behavior.
This shift in values has far-reaching consequences. Traditional societal norms, which emphasize respect, honesty, and community, are being replaced by a culture that celebrates deceit and exploitation. The normalization of cybercrime and every other related crime has led to a generation that views illegal activities as a viable career path, undermining the very foundations of a healthy society.
A basic HK Scenario
Basically, an HK setup requires a 2-bedroom flat or 3-bedroom flat apartment rented and paid for by the owner of the HK who his trainees respect and obey all his instructions without argument.
According to a former HK trainee who said he absconded, who also spoke to our correspondent in strict confidence: “They all refer to the owner of the HK apartment as ‘Chairman’. The oldest trainee is referred to as ‘Headboy’ while other trainees’ individual relevance is determined by how long they have been in the HK or how many clients (victims) they have been able to scam off their money.
“It is the duty of the Headboy to teach, indoctrinate and supervise other trainees in various fraudulent enterprises and report back to the Chairman.”
He continued: “In most HKs, the trainees are fed once a day and are made to wake in the middle of the night to search for clients (victims) on the internet.
“Any money made by any trainee online is shared between the trainee and the Chairman. The Chairman may hand the trainee 30 or 40 percent of whatever the trainee makes online while keeping the rest for himself. In some cases, some Chairmen may take everything and tell the trainee any cock and bull story and the trainee will have no choice but to accept it. That’s how it is there and again, it is a credit to the trainee if he keeps secret and is not talkative about the activities of the HK”.
Initiation into Crime and Exploitation
The initiation into the world of HK is often a disconcerting experience for young people. Many are drawn into these groups through peer pressure or the promise of financial rewards, only to find themselves trapped in a cycle of crime and exploitation. The hierarchical structure of these groups ensures that new members are indoctrinated with the group’s values and methods, often through a process of intense training and harsh grooming.
Sexual Exploitation, Cultism and Drug Abuse
One of the most disturbing aspects of HK is the prevalence of sexual exploitation and abuse. Young boys and on very rare occasions, young girls are often subjected to sexual molestation in the course of their acceptance into these groups. The abuse is not only a form of control but also a way to break the spirit of new members, ensuring their loyalty and compliance.
In addition to sexual exploitation, there are reports of youngsters being railroaded into cult activities and homosexual practices. These activities are often introduced to new members, through cunning suasion or outright intimidation, further alienating them from their families and communities. The psychological and emotional toll of these experiences is immense, leading to long-term trauma and a sense of alienation.
Kidnapping and Killings
The dark underbelly of HK extends beyond cybercrime and sexual exploitation. There are increasing reports of kidnapping and killings for ritual purposes and in some cases, organ trafficking involving young people.
These heinous crimes are driven by the same desire for quick wealth and power that fuels the broader HK culture. Young people, already vulnerable and marginalized, are easy targets for these criminal activities and are gradually wired to believe that ‘whatever brings in good money is good work’; and are often quick to cite the maxim: ‘the end justifies the means.’
Commenting also, a middle-aged man simply known as Ebuka, who referred to himself as a failed fraudster because he was too cowardly to follow through, told our reporter that there are much more atrocities going on in the HKs than meets the eyes. In some HKs, any venture that brings in money is acceptable, there is no red line or limits.
He said: “Whenever there is a period of ‘dryness’ and money is not coming in, the Chairman and some of his leaders may resort to other crimes to make money. Whether it is kidnapping, armed robbery, ritual practices or organ trafficking, they will engage without scruples. They may not carry every trainee along initially until they are certain they can manage the reality of the crimes, but overtime, they indoctrinate all their members, in few cases, with blood oath.”
Indictment of Parents
In his narration, Mr. Ebuka roundly indicted some parents for ‘encouraging the doom of their young children’ in the pursuit of quick wealth.
He said: “Many parents know that their children are in HK homes. There is no way your child will be away from home for one year and you do not know where he is and still do not take any action.
“The truth is that most parents know what their wards are doing. They even pray for their children that their client(victim) will pay. I have heard a parent say this prayer in my presence.
“Your son has no known work or employment, but he is driving an expensive car. You do not know the source of his income and he is building houses and as a parent, you do nothing and just tag along? The truth is that many parents know and endorse the fraudulent practices of their wards. All they care about is the money.
“I can tell you for certain that some parents are now funding and enrolling their children into HK Houses. Go to Delta, Edo, Ondo and even here in Imo state across our villages. Go to Uratta here in Owerri North and you will see these things for yourself.”
Olukoyede’s Warning
While reacting recently over those criticizing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for always going after “Yahoo boys”, the Executive Chairman of the Commission, Mr. Ola Olukoyede noted that such criticisms come from perpetrators, beneficiaries and few genuine people who do not understand the severity of the trending phase of ‘Yahoo’ crime in the country.
He, however stressed that the activities of internet fraudsters have since evolved beyond online scams, warning that they were now actively involved in more dangerous crimes like kidnapping, ritual killings, banditry and arms trafficking.
According to the EFCC boss, the Commission received no fewer than 11,000 petitions concerning the activities of the fraudsters, investigated about 9,000, and prosecuted nearly 5,000 cases in spite of limited manpower.
“It is no longer just about scamming people. They are now into kidnapping, banditry, and ritual killings. Some of our investigations have uncovered horrifying details, including cases where young female victims were used for rituals. If we don’t act decisively, in the next 10 years or so, we may not have a generation we can confidently hand over this country to,” Olukoyede said.
The Way Forward
The rise of HK is a symptom of deeper societal issues, including poverty, unemployment, and a lack of educational opportunities. Addressing these root causes is essential to breaking the cycle of crime and exploitation. The Nigerian government, civil society, and international partners must work together to provide young people with legitimate opportunities for success.
Education and awareness programs are crucial in combating the allure of HK. By promoting the importance of hard work, integrity, and ethical behavior, these programs can help young people resist the temptation of quick wealth and criminal activities.
Security agencies must not only go after young people committing individual crimes but must as a matter of urgency clampdown on the root of all these crimes which is the proliferation of HKs across Nigeria. HKs is easily the incubator for all variants of criminality in present day Nigeria.
The reality of HK must serve as a reminder of the dangers of a society that glorifies material success at the expense of ethical values. The corruption of Nigeria’s youth through cybercrime, sexual exploitation, cult activities, drug running and even organ trafficking is a tragedy that must be addressed urgently. By providing young people with the tools and opportunities to succeed through legitimate means, Nigeria can begin to rebuild a society based on respect, integrity, and community.
