VAM News Update
Officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have reportedly arrested more than 70 students of Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife Osun State.
Reports obtained by VAM News on Wednesday morning revealed that the anti-graft agency officials raided the hostels located outside the campus at midnight.
According to The PUNCH, various sources in Ile-Ife disclosed that the officials, at approximately 2 a.m., conducted a raid on the Fine Touch and Superb hostels in Oduduwa Estate, Ile-Ife, forcibly entered rooms, and apprehended the students indiscriminately.
Reasons for the arrest have not been confirmed as of the time of filing this report. OAU Students’ Union President, Abass Ojo, however, said the union had details of “72 students picked up from the hostel with phones and cars taken away.”
A former union official, Joy Abiola, also told journalists that the students were beaten.
“The EFCC officials came between 1:40 a.m. and 4:00 a.m. Only students stay in those hostels,” Joy reportedly said, adding, “How can you arrest people for owning iPhones, laptops, and cars?”
Another student, identified simply as Ewatee, said, “Female students were among those picked up. Even some fresh students who just went to greet their senior colleagues were arrested. The approach is wrong.”
In a video shared online by a student, a group of young individuals, reportedly students of the hostel, were observed being escorted into a white Hummer Bus by security officials who were seen forcefully urging them to enter swiftly.
In a separate video, approximately six vehicles were observed travelling alongside the white Hummer Bus. According to students, these officials were departing from the Ile-Ife region and heading towards Ibadan.
Meanwhile, the OAU Students’ Union has condemned the raid in a statement via its Twitter handle.
The statement reads, “We strongly condemn the recent unjust arrest and harassment of our fellow students by members of the EFCC @officialEFC in the odd hours of today, November 1st, 2023.
“This action is unacceptable and goes against the principles of justice and due process,” it said.
The students’ body said it stands in solidarity with the arrested students, calling for a thorough investigation into these incidents. “The safety and rights of students must be protected,” it said.
When contacted, Olumide Egbodofo, the head of the Public Affairs Department of the EFCC, Ibadan Zonal Command, stated that an update regarding the incident would be provided.
“A press statement will be released regarding that soon,” the spokesperson added.
Also, the phone line of the university’s spokesperson, Abiodun Olarewaju, was unreachable as of press time.