EFCC Frees 45 Out of Over 70 OAU Students Arrested During Midnight Hostel Raid

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has taken the decision to release 45 of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) students who were apprehended during a midnight raid on the school’s hostels. This incident, which took place in Oduduwa Estate near the OAU campus, led to the arrest of more than 70 students.

In the early hours of Wednesday, EFCC personnel carried out a surprise operation, invading multiple hostels in the vicinity of the school. The arrests of these students triggered a swift reaction from the academic community and resulted in a protest at the Ibadan zonal command of the EFCC office in Oyo State, the division responsible for the raid.

While the situation remains fluid, it has been reported that 45 of the arrested OAU students have been released by the EFCC, with investigations into the remaining cases ongoing. A confidential source with knowledge of the arrests informed SaharaReporters about this development.

One resident of the Fine Touch Hostel recounted the events, stating that officials wearing EFCC-branded jackets arrived in official vehicles. The raid began shortly after 1 a.m., during which the agents forcibly entered rooms and detained their fellow students.

The incident has drawn significant attention on social media, particularly on X (formerly Twitter), where students and alumni of OAU have expressed their outrage and condemnation. The OAU Students’ Union has also weighed in on the matter, using their platform to denounce the arrest and the harassment of students by the EFCC during the early hours of November 1, 2023.

In a tweet, they strongly condemned the actions of the EFCC, deeming them “unacceptable” and asserting that they run contrary to the principles of justice and due process.

The situation remains tense, and further developments are expected as the investigation continues and public reactions intensify.