The National Association of University Students, on Wednesday, expressed its opposition to the arrest of no fewer than 69 students of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Tuesday night.
The student leadership condemned the arrests of the students in a statement signed by its National Director of Security and Safety, Eruobami Ayobami; Deputy National President, Babalola Daniel; and the Vice Chairman of NAUS in the state, Akinyemi Hammed.
According to them, as student leaders, the security and safety of their students are paramount to them, and they stated, “the actions of the EFCC are synonymous with those of a gang of thieves and burglars.”
News About Nigeria had reported that the EFCC reportedly arrested over 70 students of the institution when they raided the Fine Touch and Superb hostels in Oduduwa Estate, Ile-Ife, around 2 a.m.
Although the reasons for the arrest have not been disclosed by the EFCC, there are speculations that the students were arrested for cybercrime-related offences.
Reacting to the action by the anti-graft agency, the student body called on President Bola Tinubu to investigate the commission’s actions.
The student leadership further threatened to embark on a protest if a resolution was not reached and the students released on time.
The statement partly reads: “We call on the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, and the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to look into the excesses of the Commission, as we will not hesitate to hit the streets if there is no solution.”
