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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has reportedly apprehended over 70 students from Obafemi Awolowo University in Ile-Ife, Osun State.
Around 2 a.m. on Wednesday, November 1, 2023, EFCC officials conducted a raid on the Fine Touch and Superb hostels in Oduduwa Estate.
As of the time of this report, the reasons for the arrests have not been confirmed.
According to OAU Students’ Union President, Abass Ojo, the union has information about “72 students taken from the hostel, along with their phones and cars.”
Former union official, Joy Abiola, also informed journalists that the students were subjected to physical force.
“The EFCC officials arrived between 1:40 a.m. and 4:00 a.m. Only students residing in those hostels,” Joy reportedly stated, adding, “How can you arrest people for having iPhones, laptops, and cars?”
One student, identified as Ewatee, remarked, “Female students were among those taken. Even some new students who went to greet their senior colleagues were arrested.
The approach is wrong.”
In a video shared online by a student, a group of young individuals, purportedly students of the hostel, were seen being escorted into a white Hummer Bus by security personnel who were urging them to board swiftly.
Another video showed approximately six vehicles accompanying the white Hummer Bus. According to students, these officials were departing from the Ile-Ife area and heading towards Ibadan.
Olumide Egbodofo, the head of the Public Affairs Department of the EFCC’s Ibadan Zonal Command, stated that an update on the incident would be provided when contacted.
“A press statement will be released soon,” the spokesperson added.
Additionally, the phone line of the university’s spokesperson, Abiodun Olarewaju, was unreachable at the time of press.
