OAU students storm EFCC office to protest colleagues’ arrest

Students of Obafemi Awolowo University, (OAU), Ile-Ife, on Wednesday, gathered at the Ibadan zonal command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to protest the arrest of their colleagues by operatives of the anti-graft agency.

According to NAN, the students, who came in three hummer and coaster buses, were said to have 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.

The management of OAU also disclosed that there had not been any communication between the anti-grant agency and the institution accusing any of its students of financial crime.

About 70 students of the institution were reportedly arrested by officials of the commission (EFCC) in a midnight raid on off-campus hostels on Wednesday.

Sources in Ile-Ife confirmed to NAN that the EFCC officials raided Fine Touch and Superb hostels in Oduduwa Estate, Ile-Ife, and rounded up the students.

Though reasons for the arrest could not be confirmed as of press time, Abass Ojo, the SUJ president, said the union had details of “72 students picked up from their hostels, with phones and cars taken away”.

“Information at our reach revealed that EFCC officials stormed the two hostels between 1:40 a.m. and 4:00 a.m., but the question remains: how can you arrest people for using iPhones, laptops, and cars?” Ojo asked.

Another student, simply identified as Ewatee, alleged that female students were among those who were picked up, adding that even some fresh students who just went to greet their senior colleagues were also arrested.

“According to our sources, the students were seen being marched into a white Hummer bus, which was one of the six vehicles on their entourage, under the supervision of some security officials, heading towards Ibadan,” the student said.

Speaking on the matter, the institution’s management said there was an ongoing investigation into the reported arrest of the students.

Olanrewaju Abiodun, the institution’s spokesperson, said it could not be confirmed if those arrested are OAU students or not.

“As I’m talking to you now, there has not been any communication between the anti-grant agency and the institution alleging or accusing any student of financial crime,” Abiodun said.

“The management is still making enquiries to know if those arrested by EFCC are our students and their actual number.

“I can assure you that once we have any information or breakthrough on the identities of those arrested, the management will meet and get back to you.”

Also speaking, Olumide Egbodofo, the EFCC spokesperson, Ibadan zonal command, said an update would be given on the incident.

“A press statement will be released regarding that soon,” Egbodofo said.