EFCC Unveils New Directive Restricting Nighttime Sting Operations

In a significant policy shift, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has instituted a ban on nighttime sting operations.

This change comes in the wake of a controversial operation where EFCC operatives, in the early hours of Wednesday, November 1, 2023, raided an off-campus hostel near Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile-Ife, Osun State. Approximately 70 students were apprehended on suspicion of involvement in internet fraud.

EFCC Arrests 69 Suspected Internet Fraudsters in Ile-Ife

Operatives of the Ibadan Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested sixty-nine, 69, suspected internet fraudsters in Osun State.

They were arrested on Wednesday, November 1, 2023 at… pic.twitter.com/AlNeIBDL94

— EFCC Nigeria (@officialEFCC) November 1, 2023

Reports suggest that the EFCC officials forcibly entered the Oduduwa Estate area hostel using hammers, provoking outrage among the academic community. In response to the protest and demands for the release of the detained students, the new EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, swiftly imposed a prohibition on nighttime raids by the anti-graft agency.

The official statement, released by EFCC spokesman Dele Oyewale on Wednesday evening, outlined this new directive, emphasizing that it aligns with the recently revised procedures governing arrests and the granting of bail to suspects.

According to the statement, “In line with the newly-reviewed procedures on arrest and bail of suspects by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, the Executive Chairman of the Commission, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, has directed that sting operations at nighttime be stopped in all the Commands of the EFCC.”

EFCC PRESS STATEMENT

EFCC Bans Sting Operations at Night

In line with the newly-reviewed procedures on arrest and bail of suspects by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, the Executive Chairman of the Commission, Mr. Ola Olukoyede has directed that sting… pic.twitter.com/DpnGEgCOC3

— EFCC Nigeria (@officialEFCC) November 1, 2023