The Ibadan zonal command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has released 58 out of 69 students of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun, arrested on Wednesday morning.
The students were arrested by officials of the commission in a midnight raid on off-campus hostels.
58 of the students were, however, released late Wednesday while there are ongoing talks to ensure the freedom of the remaining 11.
The EFCC officials had raided Fine Touch and Superb hostels in Oduduwa Estate, Ile-Ife, and rounded up the students.
In a statement earlier released, the anti-graft agency said it arrested the students over their “suspected involvement in fraudulent internet-related activities”.
“They were arrested on Wednesday, November 1, 2023, at Oduduwa Estate area of Ile-Ife, Osun State following actionable intelligence on their suspected involvement in fraudulent internet-related activities,” the statement reads in part.
“Credible intelligence linked Oduduwa Estate with activities of suspected internet fraudsters.”
Consequently, other students of the institution gathered at the commission’s office to demand the release of their arrested colleagues.
The protesting students were led by the leadership of the students’ union government (SUG) of the institution.
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