TheCable

Youths in Ibadan, the Oyo capital, on Thursday, held a protest against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The youths marched to the state secretariat at Agodi in Ibadan in a convoy of over 20 vehicles, while displaying banners with various inscriptions and chanting solidarity songs.

Some of the placards read: ‘End EFCC’, ‘It is unjust for EFCC to arrest innocent merely on phantom and unverified allegation’, and ‘EFCC leave us alone’.

According to NAN, the protesting youths barricaded the entrance to the secretariat, leaving visitors and other persons stranded for several hours.

The protest also led to gridlock along Bodija axis, parliament road, Total Garden road, among other areas.

Olamide Ayobami, spokesperson of the protesters, accused the anti-graft agency of carrying out indiscriminate arrests.

“We are tired of indiscriminate arrest and detention by EFCC officers. The operatives are in the habit of entering our homes without warrant of arrest to intimidate us, accusing us of internet fraud, and forcefully detaining us over mere allegations,” Ayobami said.

“We have our legitimate livelihoods and these officers do arrest us, because we are living fine.

“We want government to intervene and prevail on EFCC to stop harassing us.”

Samuel, another protester who identified himself as an engineer and realtor, said he had been accused by EFCC operatives of being a fraudster.

“We are not asking them not to do their job, but they should do it in accordance with the dictates of the law,” he said.

“They bust people, collect their phones and search it. What kind of thing is that?”

Another protester, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said the demonstration is against “illegal arrest” by EFCC operatives.

Sunday Odukoya, the executive assistant to the governor of Oyo on security, declined comment on the protest.