The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has released 58 out of the 69 Obafemi Awolowo University students who were arrested for suspected internet fraud in a midnight raid on hostels outside the campus.
The arrests took place in the Oduduwa Estate area of Ile-Ife. The EFCC, citing “actionable intelligence,” detained the students but has now released many of them.
The exact number of students released was not specified.
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Coordinator for South-West, John Alao, confirmed the release, and the EFCC spokesman, Dele Oyewale, stated that the profiling of unreleased suspects would be completed promptly.
The EFCC also announced the cessation of nighttime sting operations across its commands in adherence to newly-reviewed procedures.
Prior to the release, OAU students protested at the EFCC office in Ibadan, criticizing the arrests with placards expressing their disappointment.
The protesting students called for the commission’s leadership to address their concerns.
