EFCC Meets OAU Management After Apprehending 69 Suspected Internet Fraudsters | Students

In a shocking turn of events, the management of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, has announced that it is currently in discussions with officials from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) after the arrest of 69 suspected Internet fraudsters, a significant number of whom are students of the university. This development has sent shockwaves through the academic community, leading to questions about the circumstances surrounding the arrests and the treatment of the students.

EFCC: The Midnight Raid and Its Aftermath

The arrests unfolded in a dramatic midnight raid, as EFCC officials stormed hostels located outside the OAU campus, specifically targeting Fine Touch and Superb hostels in the Oduduwa Estate, Ile-Ife. Reports indicate that the EFCC officers forcefully entered rooms and apprehended the students. According to the Students’ Union President, Akinremi Ojo, approximately 72 students were taken into custody, with their personal belongings, including phones and cars, confiscated during the operation. The president of the union condemned the approach taken by the authorities in carrying out the arrests.

Allegations of Student Mistreatment and Public Outcry

Former union official Joy Abiola provided shocking details about the student arrests, emphasizing that physical violence was inflicted upon some of the students. In a harrowing account, Abiola revealed that the arrests took place in the dead of night, precisely between 1:40 a.m. and 4:00 a.m., exclusively targeting students residing in certain hostels. This selective targeting left many questioning the logic behind detaining individuals for merely possessing iPhones, laptops, and cars, especially considering that some of the affected students were bona fide tech experts.

The disturbing events unfolded in a series of videos circulated on various social media platforms, capturing the distressing sight of young individuals, purportedly OAU students, being ushered into a white Hummer Bus by security officials. Witnesses reported instances of rough handling and the issuance of urgent commands, further intensifying the gravity of the situation.

In another video, several vehicles, in addition to the white Hummer Bus, were seen departing from Ile-Ife for the EFCC zonal office in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State. These visuals have only added to the outrage and raised questions about the treatment of the arrested students.

EFCC’s Statement and OAU Students’ Demands

In response to the controversy, the EFCC issued a statement on its verified Facebook page, confirming the arrest of 69 suspects in Ile-Ife, Osun State. The agency, while listing the names of the suspects, did not disclose their identities as students. According to the statement, these individuals were apprehended due to “suspected involvement in fraudulent Internet-related activities.” The EFCC further revealed that the suspects have provided statements and will be charged in court once investigations are concluded.

In the aftermath of the arrests, OAU students, led by union officers, mobilized to the EFCC office in Ibadan, demanding the release of their colleagues. The protest, marked by impassioned pleas, saw armed security personnel guarding the EFCC premises. The Public Relations Officer of OAU, Abiodun Olarewaju, confirmed that 58 of the arrested students had been released, but 11 of them still had pending issues to address.

The Osun Joint Campus Committee arm of the National Association of Nigerian Students has also decried the arrests, condemning the invasion of the OAU students’ residence. The spokesperson for the student body, Adedapo Emmanuel, asserted that there was no justification or evidence for the actions taken by the EFCC.

In an attempt to address the ongoing situation, the university’s management has engaged in discussions with EFCC officials. However, as the controversy continues to unfold, the fate of the remaining 11 students remains uncertain, and concerns about the manner of the arrests and treatment of the students are echoing across the academic landscape.