Uniosun students protest alleged arrest of 35 colleagues by EFCC

Students of Osun State University (UNIOSUN) Thursday, barricaded Oke-baale, along Ibokun road, Osogbo, and prevented vehicular movement for over an hour over alleged arrest of 35 students of the institution by the officials of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).


The students who armed with clubs, condemned incessant arrest of students by the operatives of EFCC, SARS and DSS.
The angry students, during the protest, shunned entreaties by the Policemen and men of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, who were there to prevent break down of law.


Efforts by workers of the university to let the students vacate the road for vehicles also proved futile.


The students carried placards with various inscriptions, calling for an end to “incessant arrest” of their colleagues by security agents.


Our correspondent who is at the scene of the protest gathered that the arrested students were taken to the Ibadan office of the anti-graft agency.


Apparently infuriated by the stance of the students, the Policemen shot teargas and dispersed the protesting students.
Reacting to the protest, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Labo Popoola, warned the protesting students to desist from their action. 


According to the VC, said any protest by the students over arrest of those allegedly involved in internet crime, would be a misadventure.


The VC said, “the management of Osun State University, Osogbo, has made it clear to our students that it will be a misadventure to protest the arrest of individuals suspected to be involved in crime. No one can stop investigations.


“The outcome of investigations will determine the next steps of the University. Significantly, the arrested students were not in our hostels. They were in private hostels outside the campus.


The operatives of EFCC had in July arrested 27 ‘yahoo boys’ in Osogbo, Osun state.


Blueprint Newspaper reports that 13 of the suspects were arraigned before Justice Ayoola Emmanuel of Osogbo Federal High Court and granted bail. Their trial was adjourned to October 2.


Efforts to get reason for the arrest of UNIOSUN students proved futile as messages sent to spokesman of EFCC, Tony Oriade, were not replied.

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