The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has declared inconveniences against alleged invasion of the College of Forestry Campus, Jericho, Ibadan and shooting of innocent students, by Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on the 25th of October, 2023.
Voice Air Media recalls that on October 8, 2020, the entire country went red when a protest using the hashtag #EndSARS led to the killing of a large number of youths by the notorious Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS). Ever since then, the Nigerian youths has never stop demanding from the government to caution the armed forces to stop wasting the lives of innocent young people.
Again, Comrade Alao John, the Coordinator of National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Southwest Zone D has aired another painful scenario to the general public in an address titled “A TEXT OF PRESS DELIVERED BY COMRADE ALAO JOHN; COORDINATOR OF NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIAN STUDENTS (NANS) SOUTHWEST ZONE D ON THE 25TH OF OCTOBER 2023 IN IBADAN”
Speaking about the misconduct of the EFFC, a team led by Mr Ola Olukoyede after the removal of the unscrupulous ex-chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa who just regained his freedom today, 26th of October 2023, Alao John expressed his grief as he stated that “THIS RASCALITY MUST STOP IMMEDIATELY.”
According to Alade, “It is ridiculous and reckless for a government agency to invade a federal institution of learning and to attack students on their campus, a place where they ordinarily should feel safe.”
“The action of these EFCC officers is frowned upon by the generality of Nigerian Students across all states in Southwest, Nigeria.”
“It is not rocket science to discharge the roles assigned by law to the EFCC and it is also common sense to know that it’s unreasonable to shoot at unarmed students no matter the provocation.”
“It begs to question the professionalism and mental capacity of these officers, because we wonder why these officers could not have followed due protocols to apprehend any defaulter that they may have been going after.”
“It’s amusing that the EFCC Spokesman, Mr Dele Oyewale in his statement to the media instead of owning up to their fault and excesses, would dish out lies to absolve his operatives from their reckless actions without taking stock of what truly transpired.”
“Contrary to his claim that the operatives of the commission refrained from applying an force, we have some of our students with bullet wounds from the incident undergoing treatment in the hospital.”
“We also have it on good authority that no prior official notice was given to the management of the institution before it was invaded by EFCC Operatives.”
“It’s become a well known fact that EFCC Operatives are notorious for having no respect whatsoever for the rights of citizens as enshrined in our constitution.”
“We have seen them countless times, invade and attack homes and businesses of citizens in the cover of darkness, all under the guise of discharging their duties.”
“It must be stated that EFCC Operatives are now the new breed of terror in Nigeria, modeled after the defunct SARS, and that there’s little or no difference between an Armed Robber and the EFCC Operative when both are at work.”
“The current efforts by the Agency to manipulate the media and distort the truth of the incident indicates that cover up acts like this accounts for the continued display of rascality and brazen disregard of the rule of law by operatives of the EFCC in the “supposed” discharge of their duties.”
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), however, made a request to the government, Nigerian students, and EFCC to curb the unpleasant incidence. These are the demands below;
1. EFCC should tender an unreserved apology to the College management, Students Union Government, NANS and Oyo State Students populace.
2. Compensation to the injured students and to the College in the event that properties of the institution was destroyed during the incident.
3. We call on the State Government and the Federal Government to direct the Police to arrest and prosecute the erring EFCC officers.
4. We also call on the management to reopen the college within the next 5 working days, our students are eager to return to the classroom and continue with their studies.
5. That henceforth, no armed officer of any security outfit or government agency would be allowed or tolerated to enter into any of our campuses in Oyo State and other institutions in southwest, Nigeria.
We demand the total reform of the rule of engagement for operatives and hereby also pass a Vote of no Confidence on the Zonal Commander of EFCC for sending her team to shoot at NIGERIAN STUDENTS.
In conclusion, we call on greatest Nigerian Students to exercise restraint and calm in the face of continued provocation from operatives of the EFCC. We are on this case and will see this case through.