The Vice-Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University, ile-ife, Professor Adebayo Simeon BAMIRE has hailed the students for supporting their colleagues who were harassed and arrested in Ile-ife by the EFCC
DAILY GIST earlier reported that the anti-graft agency had stormed the Fine Touch and Superb hostels in Odudua estate area of Ile-ife where some students of the institution reside.
Sources in OAU told DAILY GIST that the EFCC arrived the hostels around 2a.m and started beating students before they were whisked away for undisclosed reasons.
Eyewitnesses said the operation caused panic among students who initially thought the EFCC operatives were robbers because of their approach.
A video of the operation made available to DAILY GIST showed the operatives marching students from their hostels into the vehicles.
Following the development, Students of the institutions stormed the Ibadan Zonal Command of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibadan, to protest the arrest of their colleagues by operatives of the anti-graft agency.
DAILY GIST gathered that the students, who came in three Coaster buses and three Hummer buses, were said to have stormed the commission’s office to secure the release of their arrested colleagues.
As of the time of filing this report, 59 of the 69 students arrested have been released by the EFCC.
It was also gathered that the anti-graft agency had taken down their press release on the arrest of the students, apparently citing mistakes on their parts.
In a statement made available to DAILY GIST on Thursday by the Spokesperson of the university, Abiodun Olarewaju, the Vice-Chancellor appealed to students who were victims of the raid to put the experience behind them and move on with their lives.
The statement reads: “After a spirited effort by the management of in Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, which sent representatives to the Ibadan zonal office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to intervene in the case of arrested students, the EFCC has released 59 of the students.
A release by the Public Relations Officer of the University, Abiodun Olarewaju, stated that apart from parents and guardians who came to secure the bail for their children and wards, the management of OAU secured the release of the remaining students.
While thanking the officials of the EFCC for the quick profiling and eventual release of the students in less than twenty four hours, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Adebayo Simeon BAMIRE urged the EFCC to partner with the management of various Institutions of higher learning to organise workshops for students across Faculties to sensitise the students about the danger of financial crimes and cyber criminalities.
The Vice Chancellor, therefore, appealed to students who were victims of the raid to put the experience behind them and move on with their lives.
He lauded other students who rallied round their affected colleagues for being their brothers’ keepers without being violent nor exhibiting any act of vandalism.”
