58 OAU students detained for suspected internet fraud are released by the EFCC.

On Wednesday, 58 out of 69 students who were previously detained for suspected internet fraud from Obafemi Awolowo University in Ile-Ife, Osun State, were released by the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The EFCC, an anti-corruption organisation, apprehended the students earlier in the day during a midnight search on dormitories located off-campus. Channels TV reports that the commission apprehended them in the Oduduwa Estate area of Ife in response to “actionable intelligence” regarding their alleged participation in fraudulent internet-related activities.

John Alao, the South-West Coordinator of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), verified over the phone to our correspondent the release of the students.

Dele Oyewale, a spokesman for the EFCC, also confirmed the release, stating, “Many of the suspects duly profiled by the Command have been released, and the profiling of those who have not yet been released will be completed without further delay.”

Oyewale, nevertheless, refrained from specifying the precise count of students who were discharged.

“Mr. Ola Olukoyede, Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has directed that all EFCC commands cease nighttime sting operations in accordance with the newly reviewed procedures on suspect arrest and bail,” the statement read.

“In carrying out its mandate, the Commission wishes to assure the public that it will not waver in its commitment to the rule of law.”

“Protests by Students”

OAU students had stormed the EFCC office in Ibadan prior to their release, where they condemned the arrest of a colleague.

The students engaged in protest by carrying a variety of placards that conveyed their discontent with the anti-corruption agency’s actions.

Placards bore inscriptions such as “I am a medical student, not a Yahoo boy,” “Criminals attempting to apprehend criminals,” and “Why remove the CCTV cameras if you are armed robbers.”

Operatives of the anti-corruption commission had fortified their premises at the EFCC Ibadan office with impregnable barriers.

Notwithstanding the substantial safeguarding measures in place, the OAU students implored the commission’s leadership to heed to their concerns.