EKSU students disrupt academic activities over EFCC’s arrest of colleagues

Students of the Ekiti State University (EKSU), Ado-Ekiti yesterday protested against alleged harassment and arrest of their members by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The commission recently arrested over 40 youths, most of whom were students of higher institutions in Ado-Ekiti.

The students appealed to Acting Chairman of EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, to prevail on his men and order them to stop harassing innocent students over alleged involvement in cybercrime, popularly called Yahoo Yahoo Boys.

During the protest, academic activities were disrupted, as most lecturers and other staff members could not gain access to the campus, as students occupied the Ado-Ifaki way for over two hours, causing traffic and long queues of vehicles along the road.

Those travelling outside the state capital and those coming in had to take alternative routes to their respective destinations due to the protest that started about 8:15am and lasted till 11:12am.

Addressing the students, Director of Welfare, EKSU Students’ Union Government, Temitope Aladejare, said four of their colleagues were arrested yesterday.

“EFCC officials came to the hostel opposite EKSU’s main gate and arrested four of our members. Two of them were even naked and were in their rooms when they pounced on them.

“When they came, they introduced themselves as operatives of EFCC and forcibly bundled the students into a van and took them to an unknown destination. We urge authorities to call them to order,” he said.

When contacted, EKSU Public Relations Officer, Bode Olofinmuagun, said he was not on campus and that he did not have details of the arrest and protest.

But Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of Ado Command, DSP Caleb Ikechukwu, confirmed that some students were arrested, which triggered the protest.

Ikechukwu added that the police restored normalcy to the campus and its environs by dismantling all roadblocks on the highway for smooth human and vehicular movement.

“I can confirm that some arrests were made, but the police will continue to be an effective security organisation that will continually work for peace in society.

“While protesting, the students blocked the major highway and prevented commuters from moving in and out of Ado-Ekiti, a situation we will never condone, because that road is not within the confines of the university alone,” he added.