By Idowu Ibrahim Oluwadamilare (SIWES student, D S Adegbenro ICT Polytechnic)
In a late-night operation, officials from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) reportedly arrested more than 70 students at the University of Ile-Ife, Osun State.
The raid, which occurred in the early hours of the morning, targeted the Fine Touch and Superb hostels in Oduduwa Estate, Ile-Ife, just outside the campus.
As of the current press time, the reasons for these arrests remain unconfirmed. However, the Students’ Union President, Abass Ojo, stated that the union had information about 72 students taken into custody, with their phones and cars seized.
According to Joy Abiola, a former union official, some of the arrested students were subjected to physical violence. The EFCC officials arrived between 1:40 a.m. and 4:00 a.m., and they exclusively targeted students residing in these hostels.
This has raised concerns about the justification for arresting individuals for merely possessing iPhones, laptops, and cars.
Reports suggest that even female students and newcomers who were visiting their senior colleagues were apprehended, a move criticized as being improper.
Videos taken by students during the operation depict young individuals, believed to be students, being forcibly loaded onto a white Hummer Bus by security officials. The students were seen being hurriedly ordered to board the vehicle.
In another video, several vehicles, including the white Hummer Bus, were observed leaving the Ile-Ife area, apparently en route to Ibadan.
When contacted, the head of the Public Affairs Department of the EFCC, Ibadan Zonal Command, Olumide Egbodofo, stated that an official statement on the incident would be issued in due course.
Efforts to reach the university’s spokesperson, Abiodun Olarewaju, were unsuccessful as of the current press time.
