There was confusion at the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State, as some operatives of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) invaded the students community
The men who stormed students’ lodges around Orita Obele, Road block at about 2am, broke into rooms, and arrested some number of students during the midnight operation.
According to one of the students who spoke with Nigerian Tribune, stated that students thought men were kidnappers but later discovered that they were EFCC officials.
He said “The officials did not only destroy our properties, most of the students arrested were assaulted and brutalised. Even female students were assaulted”
He listed some of the private hostel invaded by the anti graft officials to include, Adonai lodge, Celebrity lodge, peace apartment and others in Orita Obele.
The students however, frowned over the invasion which took place at odd hour, saying that the Chairman of the EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, had warned against any sting operation at night.
Attempts to speak with the Head of Media and Publicity, of the EFCC were not successful .
Meanwhile, the Student Union body of FUTA has condemned the unlawful invasion and arrest of some of the students of the institution by armed agents of the EFCC.
The students union body in a statement signed by its President, Oluwasoromidayo Olayemi, called for calm and demanded for the immediate release of the students arrested by the EFCC men.
Olayemi in the statement read: “We regret to inform you of an ugly incident that happened within our school Off-Campus community. At 3:00 am on the 14th February, 2024, some agents of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) broke into more than three school lodges at the South Gate community and made unlawful arrest of our students, destroyed properties, molested a female student and inhumanly inflicted injuries on some other students.
“Recall that On 1st November, 2023, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, the Executive Chairman of the Commission, directed that sting operations at night time be stopped in all the Commands of the EFCC.
“To this effect, all operation at nights are tagged as illegal and not directives from the commands of EFCC but these agents of EFCC have breached the directives of their chairman and also trampled on the Right to life which our students possess as Nigerians”
He stated that “While we are making immense efforts to recover our students back on campus, we want to state that this sudden arrest is unlawful, illegal and an insult to the Executive Chairman of EFCC whose directive was breached.
“We have disheartening security issues that the Federal Government needs to help us attend to but EFCC decided to add to our security threats. Again, Nigeria has failed us.
“It is imperative for all students to remain calm, sober and cooperate with us during this struggle. We understand that this situation may raise concerns, and we will strive to keep you informed of any developments.
“Your safety and well-being are our top priorities, and we will fight diligently to ensure a smooth and orderly process throughout this investigation.
However, while reacting to the incident, the school authorities denied the invasion of the EFCC men in the school but said some private hostels where some students of the University reside were invaded.
In a statement signed by the Director, Corporate Communication FUTA, Mr Adegbenro Adebanjo, maintained that there was no operation whatsoever within the hostels or precincts of the University, contrary to what was reported.
Adebanjo stated that “The attention of the Federal University of Technology Akure, FUTA has been drawn to an incident involving some operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC who raided some private hostels in the Orita Obele area of Akure metropolis where some students of the University reside.
“Contrary to some false reports making the round, the operatives of EFCC did not invade FUTA and there was no operation whatsoever within the hostels or precincts of the University. The Incident in question happened in private hostels off campus.
“However the University expresses strong reservation about the timing and mode of the operation said to have taken place around 2am on Wednesday February 14, 2024.
” Reports indicate that the operatives barged in and violently woke sleeping students and treated them most unfairly in the course of the operation.
“Such patently dangerous tactics should not have been employed by the operatives. The process should always follow the 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 Director, Corporate Communication however, disclosed that “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 prescribes varying degree of punishment for students who run afoul of the laws governing their studentship or engage in illegal acts or odious behavior. The Handbook will guide the University in the current situation”