Uneasy calm as ‘EFCC operatives invade community, arrest Ede polytechnic students’ – Blueprint Newspapers Limited
The National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS) has accused operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of unlawful invasion and arrest of students of Federal Polytechnic Ede, Osun state.
Residents of Ede told Blueprint correspondent that the EFCC operatives invaded the campus community on Tuesday night, May 7, 2024 and arrested unknown number of students and residents, a development which has ignited outrage and fear among the community.
Recall that the Chairman of EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, late last year ordered that sting operations at night be stopped in all the commission’s commands.
Reacting to the latest commission’s operation, both NAPS and the students’ union in Ede Poly have expressed deep concern, while alleging that it was a disregard for the rights and dignity of the students.
The student bodies, have now demanded an immediate and thorough investigation into the incident.
The student bodies equally urged the anti-graft agency to release the arrested students with immediate effect.
According to NAPS, “the Leadership of NAPS is calling the EFCC headquarters to caution it operatives in the southwest region to stop this illegality around the students area, and the students of Federal Polytechnic Ede who are presently writing examination should be released as to be able to continue their examination, this act would have disturbed their study and preparation for the examination.
“The EFCC Boss should call his Operatives into order and release the Students arrested in Federal Polytechnic Ede,those students are presently writing Examination and their academic progress shouldn’t be jeopardise.
“The relationship enjoy by both the EFCC and the students body shouldn’t be destroy on this matter.”
Quoting a different statement by the student union of the school to the EFCC Chairman, the leadership while describing the action of the EFCC as an ‘act of kidnapping’, appealed for the release of the students.
The letter read partly, “we write to you today with a sense of urgency and concern as citizens as well as the students’ union leaders of this great nation and Federal institution respectively . We are compelled to bring to your attention a grave injustice that has shaken the very foundations of our society. The kidnapping of students from Federal Polytechnic Ede by your officers at midnight is a stark reminder of the darkness that still lingers in our midst.
“These innocent students, who are the future of our nation, were taken away from their domicile without any just cause. They were subjected to the harsh realities of your agency’s actions, and their fate remains unknown. The trauma and fear that they must be experiencing are unimaginable, and it is our collective responsibility to ensure their safe return.
“As the head of the EFCC, you have a unique opportunity to demonstrate your commitment to justice and compassion. We implore you to use your position to effect change and bring an end to this senseless ordeal. Release the students and restore hope to their families and our nation.”
Meanwhile, all efforts to reach the EFCC for comment proved abortive as at the time of filling this report.
When contacted, the Public Relation Officer of Federal Polytechnic Ede, Mr Sola Lawal, said he was not aware of the incident, but promised to revert to the press for further information.
