Internet fraud: EFCC confirms arrest of 14 FUTA students

Voice Air Media, VAM News Update

THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has confirmed the arrest of fourteen undergraduates of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State.

Dele Oyewale, EFCC spokesperson, in a statement on Wednesday, said they were arrested alongside nineteen (19) others in the early hours of Wednesday for suspected internet crimes.

Oyewale said, “The suspects were arrested at different residential locations within Akure metropolis following intelligence on their alleged nefarious activities.

Specifically, the sting operation that yielded their arrest was a response to strident calls to the EFCC by neighbours and parents around the locations, to save their children from being lured into internet-related activities by the suspects.

“Items recovered at the point of arrest include ten exotic cars, phones, laptops and one motor bike.

“The suspects would be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.”

VAM reports that the EFCC officials were said to have invaded the off-campus hostels of the students. It was gathered that several students of the institution were arrested by the officials of the EFCC in a midnight raid of hostels outside the campus in the early hours of Wednesday.

It was learnt that the operatives stormed students’ lodges around the Orita Obele Roadblock at about 2 am, broke into rooms, and arrested the students.

It was also gathered that many of the students first thought the anti-graft agency operatives were kidnappers until they later found that they were EFCC officials suspected to come from the Benin Zonal office of the commission.

The raid has prompted a flurry of reactions from students and social media users, who have shared videos and accounts alleging forced entry into rooms and the arrest of some students.

Visual evidence shared online shows damaged window frames, purportedly resulting from the operatives’ attempts to gain access to the lodges.

The Management of FUTA has condemned the raid by operatives of the EFCC on the off-campus hostels of the students of the institution

In a statement by the institution’s spokesperson, Adegbeno Adebanjo, said the mode of the raid is condemned as it could have caused harm or injuries to anybody physically or psychologically.

Reacting to the development, FUTA management said though the raid took place on off-campus lodges, the timing and mode of the operation raised questions.

It added that while the institution does not condone or encourage any form of criminal activities, due process should always be followed by the EFCC.

The institution added that it is in touch with the EFCC to ascertain the identity of those arrested during the raid.

Adegbenro stated: “Such patently dangerous tactics should not have been employed by the operatives. The process should always follow due process without causing harm or injuries to anybody physically or psychologically.

“Indeed but for providence something untoward could have happened in the course of the operation carried out in the off-campus hostels.

“The University is in touch with the EFCC to ascertain the identity of those arrested and validate their studentship and also to ensure that innocent FUTA students are not punished for offences they have not committed.

“FUTA abhors all forms of anti-social practices including acts of criminality in all its forms and supports all initiatives to bring perpetrators to face the consequences of their actions within the ambits of the law. The University rules and regulations as contained in the Students Code of Conduct as stipulated in the University Handbook and oath of Matriculation which all students are made to sign specifically prescribe varying degrees of punishment for students who run afoul of the laws governing their studentship or engage in illegal acts or odious behaviour.”