As parents and lawyers as well as students’ association besiege office of thee Economic Financial Crimes Commission over the 69 suspects it arrested in Ile-Ife, Osun State, on Wednesday, the commission has released 58 of them.
They are said to be students of the Obafemi Awolowo University, arrested for alleged Internet fraud in a midnight raid of the hostels outside the campus.
Some of those still being held have, however, reportedly made confessing statements to the commission.
In a statement signed by its National Director of Security and Safety, Eruobami Ayobami; Deputy National President, Babalola Daniel; and the Vice Chairman of NAUS in the state, Akinyemi Hammed, the students’ leadership faults the process and actions of the commission, saying, “It is important that as students leaders, the security and safety of our students is paramount to us and the action of the EFCC is synonymous to an action of gang of thieves and burglars.”
The anti-graft agency in a statement said it arrested 69 suspected internet fraudsters in Ile-Ife.
“They were arrested on Wednesday, November 1, 2023, at Oduduwa Estate area of Ile-Ife, Osun State following actionable intelligence on their suspected involvement in fraudulent internet-related activities. Credible intelligence linked Oduduwa Estate with activities of suspected internet fraudsters,” the anti-graft agency said.
Confirming the release to our correspondent at 8:51pm on Wednesday, Eruobami said, “58 students have been released.”
