The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has denied allegations of shooting students during an operation at the hostels of Kwara State University, News About Nigeria reports.
In a statement released by the Head of Media & Publicity, Dele Oyewale, on EFCC’s official account, the commission labelled the reported shooting as false and fabricated.
The EFCC clarified that there was no shooting of any student during its operations, as claimed by an online platform.
The statement claimed that the Ilorin Zonal Command of the EFCC did not visit Kwara State University on Thursday, February 22, 2024, and there was no joint operation with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
“The said report was fabricated as the operatives of the Ilorin Zonal Command of the EFCC neither visited Kwara State University on Thursday, February 22, 2024, nor had any joint operation with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA.
“The only operation by the Commission happened a day earlier and involved the arrest of 48 students of Kwara State University. It was a well-coordinated and professional exercise devoid of any incident. And no other agency was involved in the operation,” the statement read.
The EFCC urged the public to be cautious of fabricated stories designed to mislead the public about the commission’s activities or incite people against them.
Earlier reports indicated that operatives of the EFCC, NDLEA, and the Nigeria Police Force conducted a raid and arrested some students of Kwara State University, Malete.
Videos circulating online showed students running for safety amid gunshots in the background.
A student disclosed that EFCC operatives were present on Wednesday, while NDLEA and police officers visited on Thursday, arresting some students after raiding the student community.
The allegations included claims of EFCC shooting at students, arrests during nighttime raids, and clashes with the police.
Distressed students took to social media to share their experiences, with some alleging casualties among their peers. One tweet mentioned that a student died, and another was fighting for her life.
