The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission raided two nightclubs in Akure, Ondo State, arresting 127 individuals suspected of internet fraud.
The operation, which occurred on June 8, 2024, also led to the seizure of various items, including cars, laptops, and phones.
An eyewitness at one of the raided nightclubs reported to newsmen, “They entered the nightclubs and lounges, tear-gassing people, beating them up, and arresting them. They didn’t care who you were; many people, including security personnel, were injured as they shot tear gas canisters inside one of the clubs.”
“They also went away with a groom and his friends at a club, he was there for his bash eve, so sad as they profiled everyone as Internet fraudsters.”
An X user Darey, who tweets as #dareybold shared a video of the raid, captioning it, “This is #officialEFCC leaving Shaunz lounge Akure while shooting sporadically.
“They destroyed the club and the rooms in the hotels. They forcefully broke into the rooms. They also destroyed the CCTV and the engine.”
Another X User Oluyemi Fasipe who identifies as #YemiFash on X.com shared a video showing the alleged dehumanization of innocent ladies at a club in Akure, tweeting, “This is what your rogue officers did to innocent ladies at a club in Akure last night. They also took away their phones after this dehumanization. I am sharing this for the whole world to see how irresponsible and unprofessional your agency can be.”
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in an update on Saturday alleged that the suspects were attending a gathering related to internet fraud.
EFCC wrote, “Operatives of the Ibadan Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested One Hundred and Twenty Seven (127) suspected internet fraudsters in Ondo State.
“The alleged internet fraudsters were arrested in an early morning sting operation at a “Yahoo Party” held simultaneously at Signature and Abah Clubs on Saturday, June 8, 2024 in Akure, Ondo State.
See reactions below;
theycallmeluckywealth: Justice for that yansh 😢 If you hurt yansh you don hurt me 😢.
real_stainless_lee: That’s good for her must you be at the club as a lady? That’s reason why some of us are still single because no reasonable woman outside all of them na ashanka🙌.
abdulganiyuabdulramon: And them no fit arrest YAHAYA BELLO.
chief_femibranch: So this is not even funny guys. Isn’t there a procedure for raids on civilian facilities? Even if criminals are suspected to be there, aren’t they supposed to be concerned for the safety of the innocent? Why would u deploy teargas into a club just to arrest yahoo boys?! Did your intel show you there are hostile armed bandits in there?! Then what exactly was this beating for?! Are we animals in this country?! Can we pls have Lawyers or human rights agencies who can sue the EFCC on behalf of these innocent victims?! I think the EFCC has become another SARS and they also need to be scrapped Walahi!!!
uncle_koke: You have more rights abroad than in ur motherland.
sammydray8702: Now see Watin EFCC do person serious girlfriend 😭😹🤲.