The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibadan Zonal Directorate, and the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) are at loggerheads over the arrest of 127 suspected Internet fraudsters in Ondo State.
Spokesperson for the anti-graft agency, Dele Oyewale, said the suspects were nabbed in an early morning sting operation during a ‘Yahoo party’, held simultaneously at Signature and Abah Clubs on Saturday, June 8, in Akure, Ondo State.
According to him, credible intelligence showed that the party was initially scheduled for Wednesday, June 5, 2024 but was later moved to Saturday to beat the security and intelligence networks of the EFCC.
“The suspects have given useful information to investigators of the directorate.
“Items recovered from them include 10 exotic cars, phones, laptops, motor-cycle, wristwatches and many incriminating documents. “They will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded,” Oyewale said. However, NANS berated the EFCC over the violent raid.
The operation, it was gathered, involved several lounges in the Alagbaka area, resulting in the arrest of about 50 persons, including a soon-to-be-wedded man who was celebrating his bachelor’s eve.
The raid, which reportedly occurred at about 1:00 a.m., involved EFCC personnel who arrived in various vehicles, and shot sporadically. There was outcry over alleged injuries inflicted on club goers and destruction of Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras and other property at the facilities.
NANS said it acknowledge the need for the EFCC to combat cybercrime and uphold the rule of law, however, the breakdown of law and order witnessed during the raid was deeply concerning and unjust.
NANS’ President of the Senate, Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, lamented that despite the association ‘s ongoing engagement with the EFCC command, the body continued to observe a high rate of abuse against Nigerians.
He said: “The EFCC should operate with intelligence and precision, targeting only those for whom they have concrete evidence, not innocent citizens who are merely trying to find joy amid the challenging circumstances in our country.”
