Mon. May 25th, 2026
Spread the love

Taofeek Aiyelese and Lafeef Aiyelese, two siblings who are residents of Lagos State, have accused Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) of aiding fraudulent activities on their accounts.

Speaking for himself and Lateef, Taofeek told aso.rocks investigates how the sum of N218,000 was fraudulently removed from their accounts on June 13 and 14 without their consent.

Taofeek said he was taking his wife to the airport when he felt the need to withdraw some money. He made use of a GTB ATM gallery in the Omole area of Lagos State.

Search on Ojoojoo.com Nigeria’s First Search Engine …For More About This Post: After aso.rocks investigates’s Story, UBA Reverses N81,800 Lost to Failed PoS Transaction Since January

He said on returning to his car, he received a series of onetime passwords (OTPs).

“I started to wonder what the OTPs were for since I didn’t make any online transaction that required OTPs,” he said.

But before he could make sense of what was happening, he had received debits to the tune of N150,000 in three different transactions. He rushed into the bank to make a complaint.

Debit Alerts to the tune of N118,000 Taofeek Received

Although the officials he met told him the money had not been deducted, Taofeek was baffled by further remarks by the officials.

Search on Ojoojoo.com Nigeria’s First Search Engine …For More About This Post: N250,000 Disappears From Civil Servant’s Account After WhatsApp Chat With ‘GTBank Official’

Taofeek said the bank made cases for fraudsters, alleging that “the smart boys” had phished him. He said the bank told him ‘boys’ were lurking behind him while he made the ATM withdrawal.

“They said the money had not been removed but it had been deducted from the ledger balance of the account. And then, they started making cases for the boys, saying they were smart, and probably some guys saw my code when I was making use of the ATM, which was not true,” Taofeek said.

Taofeek requested for the CCTV footage of the ATM transaction he made, and it turned out he was never phished, and no one lurked behind him at the time of the transaction.

“I requested the footage, and none of their claims was true. So they now said they would escalate the process to ascertain what was happening,” he said.

Search on Ojoojoo.com Nigeria’s First Search Engine …For More About This Post: N310,000 Leaves UBA Customer’s Account During Her Sleep

He said he expected GTB to stall the fraud but was surprised when, in the middle of night, he got alerts of fraudulent deductions.

“It was around 3 am that I was alerted that fraud was going on in my account. Immediately, debit alerts started pouring in, saying airtime recharges were done on the account at the rate of N50,000 in three instances,” Taofeek recounted.

In his own account, Lateef said he had not to come to terms with Taofeeq’s experience when he also suffered the same fate.

According to Lateef, a Lagos Airport official, he was in his home when he received debit alerts from GTB. In less than 10 minutes, N118,000 had left his account.

N118,000 debit on Lateef’s account

“I didn’t transact with my card. My phone was with me, and I didn’t make any online transactions. I was in my house. All I was just receiving was debit alerts. It was surprising,” Lateef said.

Search on Ojoojoo.com Nigeria’s First Search Engine …For More About This Post: Money Sent From Zenith to First Bank in February Is Missing

Taofeek and Lateef lodged separate complaints at their respective GTB branches but nothing was done.

“I was told to fill a form, which I did. My brother said he was also asked to do the same at a nearby branch of GTB. But ever since, none of us has got any positive response about it from the bank,” Taofeek said.

aso.rocks investigates messaged Cornelius Onuoha, one of GTB’s spokespersons, but he was yet to make comments as of press time.

“Imagine GTB telling me that those guys were very smart, and that internet fraud was a global problem not limited to their bank. They are incompetent,” Taofeek said.
The post ‘Boys Outsmarted You,’ GTB Tells 2 Brothers Who Lost N218,000 Saved in Their Accounts appeared first on Foundation For Investigative Journalism.

<p>The post ‘Boys Outsmarted You,’ GTB Tells 2 Brothers Who Lost N218,000 Saved in Their Accounts first appeared on SwordPress.</p>

By admin

You missed

From Tramadol to Canadian to Exol-5 The New Drug Destroying Nigerian Youths An Investigative Article .From Tramadol to Canadian to Exol-5: The New Drug Destroying Nigerian Youths An Investigative Report on the Shifting Landscape of Substance Abuse in Nigeria Nigeria faces a severe and evolving drug crisis, particularly among its youth. What began with the widespread abuse of Tramadol has progressed through mixtures like “Canadian” to newer pharmaceutical diversions such as Exol-5. This shift reflects deeper issues: easy access to prescription drugs, weak regulation, socioeconomic pressures, and aggressive street-level marketing. NDLEA operations and health studies reveal a public health emergency that threatens an entire generation. Phase 1: The Tramadol Epidemic (2010s–Early 2020s) Tramadol, a synthetic opioid prescribed for moderate to severe pain, became Nigeria’s most notorious street drug. Cheap, potent, and widely smuggled (often from India and other Asian countries), it offered users energy, euphoria, and pain relief — appealing to commercial drivers, laborers, students, and young men seeking confidence or stamina. Scale of the Problem: Millions of tablets seized annually by NDLEA. High prevalence among young males aged 15–35. Linked to increased crime, sexual violence, organ damage (kidney failure, seizures), and mental health breakdowns. Contributed to broader opioid misuse alongside codeine cough syrups. Government responses included tighter import controls and public awareness campaigns, but these only displaced demand to other substances rather than eliminating it. Phase 2: The Rise of “Canadian” (Mid-2020s) “Canadian” or “Canadian Loud” emerged as a popular code for high-grade cannabis (often indica-dominant strains) or cannabis mixed with other synthetics. It gained traction as users sought alternatives or combinations to Tramadol’s effects. This phase marked a move toward imported or locally cultivated premium weed, sometimes laced with stronger chemicals. Youths in urban centers like Lagos, Kano, Jos, and Onitsha embraced it for its perceived “cleaner” high compared to opioids. However, it fueled polydrug use — combining cannabis with opioids, sedatives, or alcohol — amplifying health risks. Phase 3: Exol-5 – The Current Threat (2024–2026) Exol-5 (Benzhexol Hydrochloride / Trihexyphenidyl 5mg), originally a prescription medication for Parkinson’s disease and drug-induced movement disorders, has become the latest pharmaceutical being heavily abused. Why Exol-5? Euphoric Effects: Users report intense euphoria, hallucinations, and a sense of detachment — making it attractive as a cheap “upper” or escape. Accessibility: Sold over-the-counter or on the black market despite being a controlled prescription drug. NDLEA has seized millions of pills in single operations (e.g., 3.1 million pills in Kano in late 2024, and over 5.6 million combined with Tramadol in other busts). Street Names: Exol, Artane, Benzhexol, “Farin Mallam” (in Northern Nigeria). Demographics: Prevalent among youths, laborers, and even psychiatric patients who divert prescriptions. Studies show abuse rates as high as 25% among certain outpatient groups. Health Consequences: Anticholinergic toxicity: Confusion, dry mouth, blurred vision, urinary retention, constipation, and in high doses — delirium, psychosis, seizures, and heart issues. Long-term: Cognitive impairment, addiction, exacerbated mental health disorders. Often mixed with Tramadol, codeine, or cannabis, creating dangerous synergies. In cities like Jos, Exol-5 sits alongside diazepam, Rohypnol, and Tramadol on street markets, easily available to teenagers and young adults. Why This Evolution Continues Supply-Side Failures: Porous borders, corrupt officials, and overproduction of pharmaceuticals enable diversion. Demand Drivers: Unemployment, poverty, peer pressure, trauma, and the pursuit of performance enhancement (e.g., for “hustle” culture). Weak Regulation: Many pharmacies sell restricted drugs without prescriptions. Online and street vendors fill gaps. Displacement Effect: Cracking down on one substance (Tramadol/codeine) pushes users and dealers toward the next available option. NDLEA reports ongoing large seizures, but the problem persists due to high profitability and low risk for mid-level distributors. Broader Impacts on Nigerian Youths Education: Increased dropout rates and poor academic performance. Mental Health: Rising cases of psychosis and depression. Economy: Lost productivity among the working-age population. Crime and Violence: Drug-fueled robberies, cultism, and family breakdowns. Public Health System Strain: Overburdened hospitals treating overdoses and chronic complications. Young people aged 15–39 remain the hardest hit, with national surveys showing drug use prevalence significantly above global averages. What Must Be Done Stronger Enforcement: Consistent prosecution of corrupt enablers and large-scale traffickers. Regulation: Crackdown on rogue pharmacies and better tracking of prescription drugs. Prevention & Rehabilitation: School programs, community outreach, and expanded treatment centers (currently woefully inadequate). Economic Alternatives: Address root causes like youth unemployment. Public Awareness: Honest campaigns highlighting real dangers of “Exol-5” and similar drugs. Conclusion From Tramadol’s opioid grip to “Canadian” cannabis culture and now Exol-5’s anticholinergic highs, Nigeria’s drug crisis is mutating faster than responses can contain it. Exol-5 represents the dangerous new frontier — a legitimate medicine turned youth destroyer due to misuse and greed. Without urgent, multi-layered intervention — combining supply disruption, demand reduction, and socioeconomic support — an entire generation risks being lost to addiction. The time for half-measures is over. Nigeria’s future depends on winning this fight.