Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have invaded some students hostels in Oduduwa Estate near the Obafemi Awolowo University in Osun State in the early hours of Wednesday November 1, and arrested a yet-to-be-ascertained number of students.
Eyewitnesses staying in the hostels confirmed the forceful invasion of the hostels. According to an occupant who stays at Fine Touch Hostel, the officials came with official vehicles and EFCC jackets. The raiding started around past 1am as they forcefully entered rooms and went away with students
Another student who stays in SuperB Hostel said the officials of the EFCC came and started hitting doors, asking people to open up.
“When they came to my room, they asked me to switch on the light, asked for my man and checked the toilet and kitchen, then left. They came back and asked me to switch off my phone then left again,” the student corroborated.
According to the acting CSO of the institution identified only as Adegboyega, while speaking to newsmen, he confirmed the invasion of the students’ hostels and the arrest of some students.
According to the DPO, he confirmed that it was not a robbery operation, contrary to initial rumours, but rather men of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) operation.
The DPO confirmed to the acting CSO that his policemen were around the troubled area as at the time the EFCC were making the arrests.
Speaking further, he said he expected that the concerned students should come to the security unit of the institution to lodge a formal report and from there, the police would know what to do.
Meanwhile, students and alumni of the University have taken to social media especially on the X platform to denounce the incident.
The Students’ Union has also released a tweet, condemning the recent unjust arrest and harassment of students by members of the EFCC in the odd hours of the day.
“We strongly condemn the recent unjust arrest and harassment of our fellow students by members of the EFCC @officialEFCC in the odd hours of today, Nov 1st, 2023. This action is unacceptable and goes against the principles of justice and due process.#OAUTwitter #FreeOAUStudents pic.twitter.com/743d9r3i1G”