Why we arrested 14 FUTA students – EFCC

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has confirmed the arrest of 14 undergraduates of the Federal University of Technology, Akure(FUTA), Ondo State.

EFCC said the arrest was made by its operatives in the Benin Zonal Command.

This is contained in a statement posted on the EFCC’s official X handle(formerTwitter).

The agency also said that the 14 undergraduates were arrested alongside 19 others in the early hours of Wednesday, February 14, for suspected internet crimes.

Some students had taken to social media to share videos of the midnight raid.

The videos show broken window frames from what is believed to be an attempt at forced entry, alleging that a female student was molested and some students sustained bodily injuries.

EFCC claimed the raid was a response to calls to the agency by parents and neighbours around the location.

“The suspects were arrested at different residential locations within the Akure metropolis following intelligence on their alleged nefarious activities.

“Specifically, the sting operation that yielded their arrest was a response to strident calls to the EFCC by neighbours and parents around the locations, to save their children from being lured into internet-related activities by the suspects.

“Items recovered at the point of arrest include 10 exotic cars, phones, laptops and one motorbike.

“The suspects would be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded,” the statement said.

However, the statement did not address the ban on midnight operations by the EFCC chairman, Ola Olukoyede.