individuals suspected to be operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission reportedly stormed students’ lodges around 3 am in a controversial midnight operation at the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State.

Students took to social media, sharing videos alleging that the operatives forcibly entered rooms and made arrests.

“I thought they said EFCC should not raid at nights again. This hostel (Celebrity Lodge, FUTA) is right behind mine. When will this endemic? EFCC (officials) moving like thieves at night!” expressed one social media user named J Brandy, reflecting the sentiments of many.

Videos circulated online depicted broken window frames, indicating attempted forced entry. Despite EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede’s directive in November to halt nighttime sting operations following a controversial arrest in Ile-Ife, Osun State, the agency’s actions have once again raised concerns.

According to a report in The Punch, when contacted for comment, the EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, was unavailable for response.

Reacting to the raid, the student union government of the institution released a statement, condemning the EFCC’s actions.

They reported unlawful arrests, property damage, and instances of physical assault, including the molestation of a female student.

“We regret to inform you of an ugly incident that happened within our school Off-Campus. At 3am on the 14th February 2024, some agents of the EFCC broke into more than 3 school lodges at the south gate community and made unlawful arrest of our students, destroying properties, molested a female student and inhumanly inflicted injuries on some other students” the statement read.

“While we are making immense efforts to recover our students back on campus, we have to state that this sudden arrest is unlawful, illegal and an insult to the executive chairman of EFCC whose directive was breached,” stated the student union government,