Victor Ezeja
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has condemned what it described as an “unprovoked attack” on its operatives by staff and students of the Federal College of Forestry, Idi-shin Estate, Ibadan, Oyo State on Tuesday.
In a statement signed by its Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, the Commission said seven operatives of its Ibadan Zonal command, went to the area on the said day for a routine verification exercise of a surety, Azeez Kazeem Oluwakemi, when they were attacked and held hostage by the staff and students of the College.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe statement read: “Seven operatives of the Ibadan Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on routine verification exercise of a surety: Azeez Kazeem Oluwakemi were, on Tuesday, October 24, 2023, attacked and held hostage by staff and students of the Federal College of Forestry, Idi-shin Estate, Ibadan, Oyo State.
“The operatives were in the college to authenticate the address and identity of Oluwakemi, who stood as a surety for Alakinde Khalid Kolawole, a suspected internet fraudster in the custody of the Commission. A surety verification exercise is a standard law enforcement practice for the perfection of the bail conditions of a suspect.
“This fact occasioned the mission of EFCC’s operatives at the college.
READ ALSO: New EFCC Chairman Orders Staff To Declare Assets
“For some inscrutable reasons, students and staff of the college went on a frenzy of attacks against operatives of the EFCC, who were on an authorized assignment. This is in spite of the fact that the college community was duly informed about the mission of the EFCC’s team. “The college’s Student Union President, in concert with his colleagues and some staff of the institution, reportedly ignited violent confrontation with operatives of the EFCC.”
The anti-graft agency further stated that the students blocked two main entrance gates to the college and vandalized a bus that conveyed the operatives to the college while throwing stones and other dangerous objects at them during the attack.
“A rescue team that came successfully released the seven operatives held hostage by the riotous crowd.
“It is noteworthy that, operatives of the Commission exercised restraint in the face of the unprovoked attack and refrained from applying any force against the belligerent attackers. No student or staff of the college was shot, as armed operatives merely fired into the air to disperse the unruly crowd.”
The statement added: “The Commission wishes to assure the public that it will continue to perform its duties in line with its mandate, and unprovoked attacks against personnel of the Commission will no longer be tolerated.”
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with seven years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Master's degree in Mass Communication.
