Youths in their hundreds on Monday morning trooped out to the streets of Akure, protesting the weekend’s raid of several hotels and event centre in the state capital by the operatives of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC).
Operatives of the commission had on Saturday raided Signature and Abah Clubs in the Alagbaka area of Akure, Ondo State where 127 suspected internet fraudsters were arrested during a “Yahoo Party”.
The Ibadan zonal office of the Commission, which confirmed the raid, disclosed that the arrested suspects were picked based on intelligence reports.
Protesters allege that the EFCC officers harassed, arrested, and caused damage to property during the operation. Equipped with signs displaying their discontent, the demonstrators demanded justice for their peers.
One protester, Femi Akinremi, urgently implored both the state and federal authorities to scrutinise the conduct of EFCC personnel thoroughly.
“When has it become a crime for citizens to enjoy themselves at nightclubs? The guys (EFCC personnel) just entered into the nightclubs and started arresting our friends. Is it every youth in clubs that is into ‘yahoo yahoo?” he asked, as quoted by Punch.
Another protester, Tobi Akinnubi, said, “In Nigeria now, youths cannot use phones or laptops; they can’t drive cars because the EFCC sees them as fraudsters.
“Our ladies have been taken away; have they committed any offenses? This is pure brutality. Enough is enough, and we must put an end to this.”
The Ondo State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Saka Ogunleye, urged young people to remain peaceful, assuring them that the government is addressing the situation.
Watch the video below:
Kudos to the people of Ondo state who came out to protest against the brutality of innocent citizens during the most recent provocative raid by @officialEFCC in Akure.
This insane act against innocent citizens has to stop.#EndEFCCImpunity #StopEFCCBrutality pic.twitter.com/k9VjKq0GhR
— Habdulakeem Bhadmus (@Mrbhadoosky) June 10, 2024