Several students from the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) have been arrested by officials from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) during a midnight raid on hostels located outside the campus.
The arrest occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, according to reports.
It was said that the EFCC operatives forcefully entered students’ lodges near Orita Obele and Road Block around 2 am.
Initially, many of the students mistook the anti-graft agency officials for kidnappers. It was only later that they realized they were dealing with EFCC personnel.
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The operatives were reportedly affiliated with the Benin Zonal office of the commission.
Interestingly, the event transpired a few months after EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede issued a directive to cease “sting operations” during nighttime hours.
Olukoyede had said in a statement through Dele Oyewale, Head, Media & Publicity of the commission:
“In line with the newly-revised procedures on arrest and bail of suspects by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, the Executive Chairman of the Commission, Mr Ola Olukoyede has directed that sting operations at night time be stopped in all the Commands of the EFCC.
“He gave the directive in Abuja on Wednesday, November 1, 2023, in reaction to the arrest of 69 suspected internet fraudsters by operatives of the Ibadan Zonal of the Commission in Ile-Ife, Osun State.
“Already, many of the suspects duly profiled by the Command have been released, while profiling of suspects yet un-released will be completed, without further delay.
“The Commission wishes to assure the public that it will not relent in its adherence to the rule of law, in the exercise of its mandate.”
