The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has, as of Wednesday, released 58 out of the 69 students from Obafemi Awolowo University in Ile-Ife, Osun State, who were initially apprehended.
Previously, it was reported that the commission had arrested over 70 students from the university. These students were reportedly taken into custody by EFCC officials in a late-night raid on hostels located off-campus.
Various sources in Ile-Ife confirmed on Wednesday morning that around 2 a.m., EFCC officials carried out an operation at the Fine Touch and Superb hostels in Oduduwa Estate, Ile-Ife.
During this operation, they forcibly entered rooms and detained the students. However, it’s worth noting that the National Association of University Students strongly condemned the EFCC’s actions in arresting these students.
In a statement signed by its National Director of Security and Safety, Eruobami Ayobami; Deputy National President, Babalola Daniel; and the Vice Chairman of NAUS in the state, Akinyemi Hammed, the students’ leadership faults the process and actions of the commission, saying, “It is important that as students leaders, the security and safety of our students is paramount to us and the action of the EFCC is synonymous to an action of gang of thieves and burglars.”
The anti-graft agency in a statement said it arrested 69 suspected internet fraudsters in Ile-Ife.
“They were arrested on Wednesday, November 1, 2023, at Oduduwa Estate area of Ile-Ife, Osun State following actionable intelligence on their suspected involvement in fraudulent internet-related activities. Credible intelligence linked Oduduwa Estate with activities of suspected internet fraudsters,” the anti-graft agency said.
Confirming the release to our correspondent at 8:51pm on Wednesday, Eruobami said, “58 students have been released.”
