OAU students storm EFCC office to protest colleagues’ arrest

The students of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile-Ife, Osun State, on Wednesday, stormed the Ibadan Zonal Command of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the Oyo State capital to protest the arrest of their colleagues by the operatives of the anti-graft agency.

It was gathered that the OAU students, who came in three Coaster buses and three Hummer buses, stormed the EFCC’s office to secure the release of their arrested colleagues.

It was learned that the protesting students were led by the leadership of the Students’ Union Government (SUG) of the institution.

This was even as the institution’s management said there had not been any communication between the anti-grant agency and the institution alleging or accusing any of its students of financial crime.

No fewer than 69 students of the university were arrested by the EFCC operauves in a midnight raid on off-campus hostels on Wednesday.

It was gathered that the EFCC officials stormed Fine Touch and Superb hostels in Oduduwa Estate, Ile-Ife, and arrested the students.

However, the institution’s management said an investigation into the arrest of the students was ongoing.

The Public Relations Officer of the institution, Olanrewaju Abiodun, said it could not be confirmed if truly those arrested are OAU students or not.

Abiodun said: “There has not been any communication between the anti-grant agency and the institution alleging or accusing any student of financial crime.

“The management is still making enquiries to know if those arrested by EFCC are our students and their actual number.

“I can assure you that once we have any information or breakthrough on the identities of those arrested, the management will meet and get back to you.”

The EFCC had earlier disclosed that exotic cars, 190 mobile phones, and 40 laptops, among others were recovered from the students.

It added that the arrested students have made useful statements to the EFCC and will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.

The Star