The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has released 58 out of the 69 students from Obafemi Awolowo University in Ile-Ife, Osun State, who were apprehended earlier on Wednesday.
PUNCH METRO reported that the EFCC had detained 70 university students, arresting them during a midnight operation in hostels located outside the campus.
Multiple sources in Ile-Ife confirmed that the EFCC officials conducted this operation around 2 a.m., targeting the Fine Touch and Superb hostels in Oduduwa Estate, Ile-Ife, forcibly entering rooms and apprehending the students.
The National Association of University Students has strongly criticized the EFCC for the arrest of 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.”
