Scores of youths on Tuesday took to the streets in Osogbo, Osun State capital to protest the arrest of some suspected internet fraudsters in the early hours of the day by officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The youths comprising sympathisers, families and friends of the suspects set bonfire at Lameco area of Osogbo before taking their protest to the Mandela Freedom Park at New Garage.
They displayed placards with various inscriptions like: “End EFCC”, “EFCC free our brothers”, “We don’t scam, give us jobs” and “EFCC stop the extortion and harassment”.
The youths also demanded for the immediate release of those arrested.
One of the protesters who spoke anonymously with newsmen alleged the EFCC officials broke into the houses of the suspects around 2am, shooting and creating fear in the minds of residents who thought they were being attacked by armed robbers.
He said the EFCC officers raided several houses in Omobolanle and Halleluyah Estates in Osogbo, arresting unspecified number of suspects and carting away their cars too.
Osun State commissioner for youth and sports Yemi Lawal, addressing the protesters, assured that the government would work towards securing the release of those arrested.
Mr Lawal, however, asked the protesters not to fight the authorities, promising to go to the EFCC office in Ibadan to secure the release of those arrested.
Osun police spokesperson Yemisi Opalola told NAN that the police were monitoring the situation to prevent escalation.
Opalola, however, condemned the protest, saying the EFCC officials that effected the arrest were from Ibadan and the protesters should have taken their protest to Ibadan instead of creating tension in the state.
