The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) announced that it arrested 30 individuals suspected of internet fraud in Agbede community, Ilorin, including six students of Kwara State Polytechnic.
Earlier, the polytechnic’s management had reported that some students staged a protest on campus following a morning raid by security operatives in the nearby Agbede community.
“Early this morning, a small number of students expressed their displeasure by burning tyres along a section of the Old Jebba Road,” the management said.
The institution clarified that no student was arrested during the protest and credited the swift response of security agencies and its internal security team for preventing the situation from escalating.
However, the EFCC stated that operatives from its Ilorin zonal directorate conducted a sting operation on Wednesday in two buildings identified for suspected internet-related fraud.
The raid led to the arrest of 30 suspects, six of whom are students of the polytechnic. Preliminary profiling indicated that the six students were “actively involved” in internet fraud.
“Profiling of the students showed that all six are actively involved in internet fraud. Eight vehicles suspected to be proceeds of crime were recovered from the suspects, alongside mobile phones and laptops,” the commission said.
The EFCC emphasized that the operation was independent of the polytechnic and that no academic activities were disrupted.
“It is untenable to link any protest by some students of the polytechnic to the lawful operation of the EFCC. Any video in circulation connecting the students’ protest with the operation of the commission is contrived and a misrepresentation of the operation,” the statement added.
The commission reaffirmed its commitment to professionalism and integrity, urging the public to report any unethical behavior by its personnel through proper channels.
