Priscilla Ofunre, Ado-Ekiti
Students of the Ekiti State University (EKSU), Ado-Ekiti, on Wednesday, took to the streets to protest alleged harassment and arrest of members by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The students appealed to EFCC acting chairman, Mr. Ibrahim Magu, to rein in his men by ordering them to stop harassing innocent students under the guise of being involved in cybercrime, popularly called ‘Yahoo’.
Few weeks ago, operatives of the EFCC had arrested over 40 youths, in Ado-Ekiti, some of whom were students of higher institutions and were whisked away to Ibadan, Oyo State, for alleged ICT fraud.
The protest affected academic and commercial activities in the institution as most of the lecturers, other staff of the institution as well as other road users, could not access the campus and surrounding towns because the students took over and occupied the Ado-Ifaki dual carriage way for over two hours.
They blocked the highway thereby causing traffic snarl and long queues of vehicles along the route.
Those travelling outside the state capital and those coming in had to make a detour and took alternative routes to their respective destinations.
The protest began about 8.15a.m and lasted till 11.12p.m.
Addressing the students,Director ofWelfare, EKSU’s Students’ Union Government, Com. Temitope Aladejare, revealed that four of his colleagues were arrested by some cops on Wednesday.
“They just came to the hostel in front of the EKSU’s main gate and arrested four of our members. Two of the victims were even naked as they were in their rooms when they pounced on them.
“When they came, they introduced themselves as operatives of the EFCC and forcefully bundled the victims into a van and took them to an unknown destination.
“We are calling on authorities of governments to call them to order”, he said.
When contacted to comment on the protest, the EKSU Public Relations Officer, Mr. Bode Olofinmuagun, said he was not on campus and that didn’t have first hand information about the arrest and the protest staged by the students.
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But the Police Public Relations Officer, Ekiti State Command, DSP Caleb Ikechukwu, said he could confirm if arrests were made, which triggered the students to embark on protest.
Ikechukwu added that the police swiftly swung into action to restore orderliness, by ensuring the removal of all blockages on highway for smooth human and vehicular movements.
“I can confirm to you that there was arrest. But the police will continue to be an effective security organisation that will continually work for the peace of our society.
“The students protested and they blocked the major highway and prevented commuters from moving in and out of the state capital, this we will never condone, because that road is not within the confine of the university.
“They obstructed vehicular movements for hours, but we have been able to remove those blockages and restored peace and order around the school premises”, he said.
