Internet fraudsters, popularly called yahoo yahoo boys in Nigeria, is currently a highly debated topic of conversation among many Nigerians—celebrities and regulars alike. And Naira Marley added more fuel to the already raging fire a few days ago, when he said
“if you know about slavery, you go know say yahoo no be crime.”
By Naira Marley
Bashing, curses and all sorts of angry reactions are what Nigerians have been firing at Naira Marley since he made that statement. However, some Nigerians, including our favorite celebrities have reacted in ways that suggest they are either not against Yahoo boys or are nonchalant about them. Here’s are some Nigerian celebrities who defend Yahoo boys:
2Face
While 2face did not comment on Naira Marley’s divisive post about yahoo boys; earlier this year, the legendary musician revealed what he thought about the actions of yahoo boys through a reply he made on his page.
@larfiddydigital on Twitter left a comment on Tuface’s page asking him to advise yahoo boys
“Oya @official2baba advice all the yahoo boiz following you to learn Forex Trading… Let’s make some legit money hence forth. The cleansing after election go madt gon ni.”
From 2face’s reply, it is apparent where he stands when it comes to yahoo boys. He wrote
“@larfiddydigital nwannem gbagbue that tin. we are trying 2 recover our forefathers money.”
Efe
The 2017 big brother naija winner, Efe Ejeba, received the kind of treatment Naira Marley is currently undergoing when he tweeted
“Yahoo boys bring money into the economy, Politicians steal money and take it out of our economy. Nigerians please who is justified?”
Quote by Efe Ejeba
In the Nigerian way of answering the question with another question,
“how does one sin justify another sin Efe?”
M.I. Abaga
When Simi attacked yahoo boys a few weeks back, asking them to stop buying her music. M.I. supported Simi’s stand but made some additions that sounded slightly defensive or nonchalant about yahoo boys.
“@symplysimi I applaud your courage and your fortitude for speaking out on what you believe!!!”
he wrote.
“The truth is that the scourge of internet fraud is hurting us more than it is helping us.. and please don’t misunderstand.. this country is so hard that I judge no man because I am imperfect.
But we must not attack those that remind us of what we should be.. that energy is for us to vote.. us to speak out against our elected officials.. and for us to do a better job at lifting all young Nigerians so that they never have to turn away from righteousness to provide food to eat. We may be forced to eat with dirty hands.. but it doesn’t mean we should piss in clean water.”
By M.I. Abaga
Davido
In the current banter about yahoo boys, Davido’s stand about these internet fraudsters syncs with Naira Marley’s. His comment on the controversial post was
“Nobody is holy,”
By Davido
Which insinuates that condemning yahoo boys is hypocritical since everyone has some dirt in their hands. How justifiable is that?
Zlatan Ibile
While the rapper/activist Tunde Ednut immediately cautioned Naira Marley when he saw his post, Zlatan Ibile stood in support of Naira Marley. Chiding Naira Marley, Tunde Ednut wrote
“Okay, Naira Marley, this is wrong!!! You should not be passing such messages.”
By Tunde Ednut
And Zlatan Ibile instantly slammed his remark by firing back with
“Anybody wey don chop yahoo boy money wey they here they preach na God go punish the person,”
By Zlatan Ibile
he wrote in reply.
Many Nigerians have called out these celebrities for defending Yahoo boys, vowing to get rid of anything that associates them with these celebrities. Here are some of their reactions:
“I know it doesn’t matter but I am deleting every Davido, Naira Marley and Zlatan’s music in every platform I have them on! I don’t support Yahoo yahoo & listening to them means I do! (@KoloJesse)