FBI Raid: Nigerians react as #IgboYahooBoys trends on Twitter

By Taiwo Okanlawon

A hashtag that promotes hate and ethnic segregation, #IgboYahooBoys is currently trending on Twitter after the United States authorities arrested and charged 80 Nigerians to court, mostly Igbo origin, with a multi-million dollars internet scam.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, FBI, on Thursday unsealed a 252-count Federal grand jury indictment charging 80 suspects with conspiracy to steal millions of dollars through fraud schemes and launder the money through a Los Angeles-based network.

From the list released, it was discovered that most of the people that were arrested were Igbo and this has provoked attacks against Igbo from Nigerians of other ethnic groups. Some other Nigerians however pleaded for caution against ethnic-profiling the Igbo, because of the crime of a few.

See twitter reactions:

Soon US will be like Thailand where their police tell Nigerian drug suspects "Why is it you #Igbos Nigerians always trafficking drugs?"#IgboYahooBoys have already made themselves well known around the world. Call me controversial or tribal, I care less! #truthneverdies. pic.twitter.com/HGCVGB5KDe

— Dr Kemi Olunloyo🇳🇬 (@drkemiofnigeria) August 24, 2019

https://twitter.com/EriogunO/status/1165186159338803202

https://twitter.com/__Ladan/status/1165186152250388480

Another Yahoo Boy list is out. Crime isn't conversant to an ethnic group. #IgboYahooBoys
#YorubaYahooBoys

RETWEET!!!!
Let's make this list VIRAL!!!!

— D.O (@DiceOkoroh) August 24, 2019

It's time for us as a tribe to start advising ourselves

Family: respect everybody irrespective of pocket size

Family: train your boys to be containtented

Babes: follow your heart and not money when it comes to love.

Anyi adigi asi ndo!!! Igbo Amaka!!!#IgboYahooBoys

— Nnaemeka (@CollinsOdins) August 24, 2019

We can't deny the fact that igbo's are industrious but i just keep wondering how somebody with a small shop in Alaba,selling screen guides and phone pouch is using range rover or benz? #igboyahooboys

— Akasoro Rilwan Olami (@olami_lekon) August 24, 2019

https://twitter.com/drwai/status/1165185145625874432

I'm proudly an Igbo man, but will always condemn what is wrong, but let us be assured that we have both good and bad people in all tribes. Why judge them…??? #IgboYahooBoys

— Agu (@Tkreign) August 24, 2019

I am done with people having bad opinions about Igbos because of this #IgboYahooBoys saga! I know many young and wonderful Igbo youths that are performing exploits. I will list a few everyday Igbos that are glorious to behold if you know any add away! #IgbosRock

— Iheanyi Akwuiwu #ENDPOLICEBRUTALITY (@Iam_SiQs) August 24, 2019