Allegations have been made by the Osun sector of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, Joint Campus Committee, claiming that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, unlawfully detained several students from the Federal Polytechnic in Ede, Osun State.
Reports indicate that EFCC officials from the Ibadan Zonal office carried out a late-night operation in Ede, apprehending the students in their hostels.
In a statement jointly issued by Taiwo Ogungbe and Farouq Afolabi, who hold the positions of Chairman and General Secretary respectively in NANS JCC, Osun sector, the union alleged that an unspecified number of students were taken into custody during the nighttime raid and transported to Ibadan, Oyo State by the EFCC team.
The student body not only criticized this action but also demanded the immediate release of all the detained individuals.
They cautioned that failure to comply with their demands would result in NANS taking action against the agency.
The statement expressed, “NANS JCC Osun Sector leadership strongly condemns the reprehensible behavior of EFCC officers who abducted our students in Ede overnight.
“Despite assurances from the EFCC chairman through media broadcasts and press releases promising no nighttime operations by the agency, students and citizens remained doubtful based on the EFCC’s history.
“Unfortunately, less than a month later, individuals in EFCC attire conducted another night raid on a school.
“Till date, no action has been taken against these abductors by EFCC officials.
“Once again, our students in Ede were taken overnight by EFCC officials to their Zonal headquarters in Ibadan, where innocent individuals often face punitive measures.
“We strongly denounce this conduct and demand the immediate release of all our students. Failure to do so will push students towards actions that may not be favorable to the agency.
“It is particularly concerning that these students are currently undergoing exams, undoubtedly affected mentally by the trauma they are going through. As law-abiding citizens, we urge President Bola Tinubu to intervene and ensure the swift release of our students.”
On the other hand, the Management of Federal Polytechnic Ede stated on Thursday that they have not yet confirmed the identities of the students reportedly apprehended by the EFCC.
The institution acknowledged the anti-corruption agency’s operation in the town, specifying that the raid occurred in Owode-Ede.
In a communication released by the management and signed by the school’s Public Relations Officer, Sola Lawal, it was mentioned that there has been no correspondence from the EFCC to either verify or refute the reported arrests and the involvement of its students.
“Federal Polytechnic Ede, Osun State Management has been made aware of the alleged arrest of students of the institution by EFCC operatives, which has been widely circulated on social media platforms.
“It is, therefore, important to inform the public that the said operation was carried out in Owode-Ede, and we are yet to confirm the identities of those said to have been apprehended by the security agency. Additionally, we have not received any communication from EFCC to confirm or deny the arrests and the participation of our students.
“We urge the polytechnic community and the public to remain calm as the management will provide updates on any further developments,” the statement concluded.