The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has issued a warning about an impending large-scale protest organized by certain corrupt individuals currently under investigation.
The EFCC highlighted that a group has recently been recruiting young Nigerians, including students, to protest against the commission.
In a statement released on Wednesday by the EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, it was noted that the campaign is being portrayed as opposition to the commission’s enforcement of cybercrime laws.
Oyewale stated, “EFCC wishes to alert the general public on the plan by a shadowy group to instigate a ‘protest’ against the Commission. In the last couple of days, the group has been actively campaigning on social media, recruiting impressionable young Nigerians, including students to take up ‘arms’ against the EFCC.
“This insidious campaign is being promoted as resistance to the operational activities of the Commission especially in respect of the enforcement of the laws dealing with cybercrimes.”
While the commission does not oppose protests, it expressed concern that corrupt elements under investigation are behind this movement.
He added, “The commission, while not averse to protests by citizens, is alarmed by emerging evidence that suggests a grand design by corrupt elements under investigation or prosecution by the Commission to exploit the so-called protest to orchestrate a national uprising that may threaten the peace and security of our dear nation.”
Oyewale also cautioned that any disruption of law and order around EFCC offices would not be tolerated.
“As a responsible law enforcement organisation, the commission will not tolerate any breakdown of law and order anywhere in the country, especially around its office locations across Nigeria.
“EFCC, working in concert with sister security agencies, is therefore taking necessary measures to deal with possible threats to the peace and security of Nigeria.”
Additionally, Oyewale urged parents, guardians, and heads of tertiary institutions to prevent their wards from being recruited for the protest.
He warned, “The commission, however, appeals to parents, guardians and heads of tertiary institutions to take responsibility for ensuring that their wards are not recruited to be used as cannon fodder in a proxy war against the commission by vested corrupt interests.
“The war being waged by the commission against corruption and cybercrime is to protect the future of the youth of this country.
“That future is imperiled if Nigeria degenerates further in the global reckoning as a den of fraudsters.”