EFCC Arrests Over 70 OAU Students in Midnight Hostel Raid

By Milcah Tanimu

In a surprising turn of events, officials from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) reportedly arrested over 70 students from Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile-Ife, Osun State, during a midnight raid on hostels located outside the campus.

According to multiple sources in Ile-Ife, the EFCC officials conducted the operation around 2 a.m., targeting the Fine Touch and Superb hostels in Oduduwa Estate, Ile-Ife. During the operation, the officials broke into student rooms and made the arrests.

As of the time of reporting, the specific reasons for these arrests have not been officially confirmed. However, the Students’ Union President, Abass Ojo, revealed that the union had information about “72 students picked up from the hostel, with their phones and cars confiscated.”

Former union official Joy Abiola disclosed that the students faced physical aggression during the operation. She stated, “The EFCC officials arrived between 1:40 a.m. and 4:00 a.m. Only students reside in those hostels. How can people be arrested for owning iPhones, laptops, and cars?”

Another student, identified as Ewatee, pointed out that even female students and new students who had merely visited their senior colleagues were among those arrested. The students have criticized the approach taken by the EFCC.

Videos shared by one of the students depicted young individuals, presumed to be students of the hostel, being led into a white Hummer Bus. Some security officials were seen urging them to move quickly and enter the bus. In another video, approximately six vehicles, including the white Hummer Bus, were observed in motion. Students mentioned that the officials were departing from Ile-Ife, heading towards Ibadan.

When contacted for comments, the head of Public Affairs Department of the EFCC, Ibadan Zonal Command, Olumide Egbodofo, stated that an official statement regarding the incident would be released in due course.

Efforts to reach the university’s spokesperson, Abiodun Olarewaju, were unsuccessful at the time of reporting.