TheCable

Several students have been arrested after operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Osun raided off-campus hostels of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU).

The raid, multiple sources confirmed, occurred at the Fine Touch and Superb hostels in Oduduwa Estate, Ile-Ife.

Several individuals purportedly numbering up to 70 were arrested as suspects of fraud-related offences.

One source, a student who spoke to TheCable, said EFCC stormed the off-campus area at around 1 am on Wednesday.

The source who craved anonymity for this story said the officials broke into the hostels with hammers.

“They entered our rooms bearing torchlights and started beating the students,” the source said.

“They came to mine but didn’t enter. I was scared when they knocked, so I didn’t answer the door. They went to the next room.

“They had EFFC jackets on and drove in with government-registered vehicles. They were armed with guns.

“This is Nigeria. I stay at Fine Touch hostel. If the EFFC arrested me, I might have had to start worrying about paying a fine into the millions, whether or not I committed an offence. And I’m only a 100-level student.”

EFCC RESPONDS

Dele Oyewale, spokesperson of the EFCC, told TheCable that 69 internet fraud suspects were arrested in the area.

Oyewale said operatives from the commission’s Ibadan zonal command acted on intelligence that the suspects were involved in internet crime.

“Credible intelligence linked Oduduwa Estate with suspected internet fraud,” Oyewale said.

“Items recovered include exotic cars, 190 mobile phones and 40 laptops among others.

“The suspects have made useful statements to the EFCC and will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.”

Adeolu Odedire, the dean of student affairs at OAU, told TheCable that the university management is still undertaking an investigation to determine how many of the arrested individuals are students of the institution.

“We don’t have sufficient information to release yet,” the dean said.

“We’re still monitoring the issue. We’re trying to gather intel to know exactly what transpired. We have our people on the ground.

“The raid happened outside the university premises and that’s why it’s difficult to gather information.

“We know some of them are our students. But we need to confirm that all those involved are really our students.”