News
EFCC confirms arrest of 14 FUTA students in sting operation
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has confirmed the arrest of 14 students of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) in Ondo State.
The EFCC operatives attached to the Benin Zonal Command in the early hours of Wednesday arrested the students alongside 19 others for alleged internet fraud.
The raid which took place at about 2:00 a.m., on Wednesday has sparked outrage among the students’ community and raised questions about the legality of the operation.
The commission confirmed the development on its official X handle on Wednesday evening.
It added that the raid was in response to calls by residents of communities near the institution.
The EFCC chairman, Ola Olukoyede, had in November last year banned night operations by the agency’s operatives.
The ban followed the arrest of 70 students of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, in a midnight raid on their off-campus hostels.
READ ALSO: EFCC raid on FUTA hostels sparks outrage among students (VIDEO)
The statement read: “The suspects were arrested at different residential locations within the Akure metropolis following intelligence on their alleged nefarious activities.
“Specifically, the sting operation that yielded their arrest was a response to strident calls to the EFCC by neighbours and parents around the locations, to save their children from being lured into internet-related activities by the suspects.
“Items recovered at the point of arrest include 10 exotic cars, phones, laptops, and one motorbike.
“The suspects would be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.”
Join the conversation
Opinions
Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism
Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.
As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.
If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.
Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.