Tension as FUTA students arrested during EFCC’s Midnight Operation, Students’ union reacts

VOICE AIR MEDIA, VAM News Update

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have raided the hostels of the students of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), Ondo State.

The EFCC operatives, who stormed the students’ lodges at 2:00am to 3am on Wednesday, also arrested students.

Some students have taken to social media, sharing videos and alleging that the men broke into rooms and arrested their schoolmates.

VOICE AIR MEDIA, VAM recalls that the Chairman of the anti-graft agency, Ola Olukoyede had ordered a stop to the practice of night sting operations in November 2023, after operatives of the agency invaded off campus hostels of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State.

Videos circulating on social media have revealed broken window frames from what is believed to be an attempt at forced entry.

One social media user named J Brandy wrote: “I thought they said EFCC should not raid at nights again. This hostel (Celebrity Lodge, FUTA ) is right behind mine. When will this endemic? EFCC (officials) moving like thieves at night!”

A man wearing the EFFC jacket was seen in one of the videos circulating online.

Students’ union reaction

The FUTA Student Union Government in a statement signed by its President, Olayemi Oluwasoromidayo and other leaders, described the invasion and arrest as unlawful and an insult to the EFCC chairman who had banned midnight invasion and arrest by the operatives of the anti-graft agency.

The statement read, “We regret to inform you of an ugly incident that happened within our school Off-Campus community. At 3:00 am on the 14th February, 2024, some agents of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) broke into more than 3 school lodges at the South Gate community and made unlawful arrest of our students, destroyed properties, molested a female student and inhumanly inflicted injuries on some other students.

“Recall that On 1st November, 2023, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, the Executive Chairman of the Commission, directed that sting operations at night time be stopped in all the Commands of the EFCC.

“To this effect, all operations at night are tagged as illegal and not directives from the commands of EFCC but these agents of EFCC have breached the directives of their chairman and also trampled on the Right to life which our students possess as Nigerians.

“While we are making immense efforts to recover our students back on campus, we want to state that this sudden arrest is unlawful, illegal and an insult to the Executive Chairman of EFCC whose directive was breached.

“We have disheartening security issues that the Federal Government needs to help us attend to but EFCC decided to add to our security threats. Again, Nigeria has failed us.

“It is imperative for all students to remain calm, sober and cooperate with us during this struggle. We understand that this situation may raise concerns, and we will strive to keep you informed of any developments.”

Calling for calm, the students leaders said, “Your safety and well-being are our top priorities, and we will fight diligently to ensure a smooth and orderly process throughout this investigation.”

The incident is coming a few months after EFCC announced a review of its arrest and bail procedure to “adhere to the rule of law and international best practices in the treatment of suspects.”

The anti-graft agency barred the detention of suspects beyond the constitutionally allowed period without a remand warrant.

The commission directed operatives to ensure “premium attention is focused on the rights of suspects, especially where arrest, detention and bail issues are concerned.”

The commission also ordered its officers against demanding “professional certificates of sureties as a bail condition.”

“Every demand for international passports of suspects would henceforth be exercised with discretion, depending on the nature of the case, personality and country of residence of the suspect,” the statement had read.