In a troubling incident, the Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA) Students Union Government issued a statement expressing deep concern over the alleged unlawful arrests of students by armed agents of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The incident reportedly occurred at 3:00 am on February 14, 2024, within the school’s off-campus community.
According to the statement, EFCC agents forcefully entered more than three school lodges at the South Gate community, making unlawful arrests, damaging properties, molesting a female student, and causing injuries to several others.
This incident comes in direct violation of the EFCC’s directive issued on November 1, 2023, by the Executive Chairman, prohibiting sting operations at night across all EFCC Commands.
The Students Union Government emphasized that all nighttime operations are deemed illegal per EFCC directives, and the actions of these EFCC agents have not only breached their chairman’s instructions but have also infringed upon the students’ right to life.
Despite ongoing efforts to secure the release of the arrested students and address prevailing security issues, the statement concludes with a somber note, asserting that “Nigeria has failed them.”.
While specific details of the charges against the students remain undisclosed, this incident highlights a blatant disregard for the recent ban on night sting operations by the EFCC.