When we write here that Nigerians must speak out over how our law enforcement professionals do their jobs, some people bring tribal components into the conversations. When the Army went into university hostels in the Southeast a few years ago, and arrested some male students in the name of fighting IPOB/ESN, we condemned that act totally and unambiguously.
I bring that up as EFCC unleashed an unprecedented raid in OAU Ile Ife, arresting 69 students: ‘Nigeria’s anti-graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has abolished sting operations at night, following the controversy stirred by its recent raid on Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) Ile-Ife on Wednesday.
‘The raid, which saw the EFCC arrest 69 students who it labeled ‘Suspected Internet Fraudsters’, attracted heavy backlash, which was escalated through the #FreeOAUStudents hashtag – forcing the agency to announce some operational changes.’
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Due to the structure of the Nigerian hostel system, it is possible EFCC went into the hostels and picked random students, because computer IP addresses are not wholly tied to hostel room numbers.
Good People, this is not a banana republic and we cannot push these young people out of their minds. How do you arrest 69 students in the night when you have a Dean of Students Affairs and broad university leadership which could be engaged, after you have collected your evidence?
That reminds me, a few days ago, a governor and the president of the labour union were the victims of these law enforcement guys.
Two things:
#1: Firing water cannons to the Governor of Rivers State: “Some civilians, apparently the governor’s political supporters, also walked along with Mr Fubara as the police continued to fire teargas and water cannons towards the governor”
#2: Arresting the President of… pic.twitter.com/UXTWCV3mZ8
— Ndubuisi Ekekwe (@ndekekwe) November 1, 2023
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