Students of the Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU, Ile-Ife, on Wednesday stormed the office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, in Ibadan, Oyo State capital.
The students were protesting the arrest of some of their colleagues by operatives of the anti-graft agency in the wee hours of Wednesday.
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.
The Institution’s Students’ Union President, Abass Ojo, said the union has details of 72 students picked up from the hostel.
Ojo added that the students’ phones and cars were also taken away by the EFCC operatives.
The Public Relations Officer of OAU, Abiodun Olanrewaju, confirmed the arrest.
He said, “We are on the way to EFCC Zonal Office, Ibadan. Some persons have been arrested but we cannot confirm if they are all out students.
OAU management will only speak for our students. On arrival, we will identify those involved after meeting with the EFCC management.
“We also cannot stop EFCC from doing their job. If any student is found involved, they should be punished.
“OAU management would not support criminals who are masking as students.”
Earlier, the Ibadan Zonal Command of the EFCC said its operatives arrested 69 persons suspected to be internet fraudsters in Ile-Ife, Osun.
However, hours later, the anti-graft agency deleted the statement revealing identities of the arrested students on its pages, apparently citing mistakes on its parts.
