The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) released 58 of 69 students arrested for suspected internet fraud at Obafemi Awolowo University in Ile-Ife, Osun State, on Wednesday.
Earlier in the day, the EFCC apprehended students during a midnight raid on accommodation outside the campus. They were apprehended in the Oduduwa Estate area of Ile-Ife following “actionable intelligence” on their suspected involvement in fraudulent internet-related operations, according to the commission.
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Coordinator for South-West, John Alao confirmed the students’ release to Channels Television in a telephone conversation.
Also confirming the release, the EFCC spokesman, Dele Oyewale, said “many of the suspects duly profiled by the Command have been released, while profiling of suspects yet un-released will be completed, without further delay.”
Oyewale, however, did not indicate the exact number of students that were released.
Commission bans sting operations at night
Meanwhile, Chairman of the Commission, Ola Olukoyede, has ordered that sting operations at night be stopped in all the commission’s commands.
Olukoyede gave the directive in Abuja on Wednesday, in reaction to the arrest of 69 suspected internet fraudsters in Ile-Ife, Osun State, by operatives of the Ibadan zonal command of the EFCC.
The spokesperson for the anti-graft agency, Dele Oyewale made the development known in a statement.
Oyewale said, “The chairman gave the directive in Abuja on Wednesday, November 1, 2023 in reaction to the arrest of 69 suspected internet fraudsters in Ile-Ife, Osun State, by operatives of the Ibadan zonal command of the commission.
“Already, many of the suspects duly profiled by the command have been released, while profiling of suspects yet unreleased will be completed, without further delay.
“The commission wishes to assure the public that it will not relent in its adherence to the rule of law, in the exercise of its mandate.”
“In line with the newly-reviewed procedures on arrest and bail of suspects by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, the Executive Chairman of the Commission, Mr. Ola Olukoyede has directed that sting operations at night time be stopped in all the Commands of the EFCC,” the statement read.
“The Commission wishes to assure the public that it will not relent in its adherence to the rule of law, in the exercise of its mandate.”