OVER 70 students from Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife, Osun State, were reportedly arrested in a midnight raid on hostels outside the university by authorities from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
Multiple sources in Ile-Ife verified this morning that officials stormed the Fine Touch and Superb dormitories in Oduduwa Estate, Ile-Ife, about 2 a.m., broke into rooms, and arrested the students.
As of press time, the reasons for the arrest had not been confirmed, however Students’ Union President Abass Ojo stated that the union had data of “72 students picked up from the hostel with phones and cars taken away.”
Joy Abiola, a former union officer, informed newsmen that the students were beaten.
“The EFCC officials came between 1:40 a.m and 4:00 a.m. Only students stay in those hostels,” Joy said, adding, “How can you arrest people for owning iPhones, laptops, and cars?”
Another student, identified simply as Ewatee, said, “Female students were among those picked up. Even some fresh students who just went to greet their senior colleagues were arrested. The approach is wrong.”
According to a video supplied by one of the students, several young people reported to be dormitory students were marched into a white Hummer Bus, with some security officers hitting them and demanding them to move and enter swiftly.
In another video, roughly six vehicles beside the white Hummer Bus can be seen driving. According to students, the officials were leaving Ile-Ife and heading to Ibadan.
When contacted, Olumide Egbodofo, the head of the EFCC’s Public Affairs Department for the Ibadan Zonal Command, said an update on the situation would be provided.
“A press statement will be released regarding that soon,” the spokesperson added.
Also, the phone line of the university’s spokesperson, Abiodun Olarewaju, was unreachable as of press time.
