By Shina Abubakar, Osogbo

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, arrested 72 students of Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU, Ile-Ife, Osun State.

The anti-graft agency carried out the raid on Monday morning.

The early morning raid was on two major off-campus hostels in the town, and the students and their vehicles were taken to the Ibadan office of the commission.

OAU’s Students’ Union President, Akinremi Abass who confirmed the incident, said the union leadership is on the way to Ibadan to learn more about the early morning incident.

We strongly condemn the recent unjust arrest and harassment of our fellow students by members of the EFCC @officialEFCC in the odd hours of today, Nov 1st, 2023. This action is unacceptable and goes against the principles of justice and due process.#OAUTwitter #FreeOAUStudents pic.twitter.com/743d9r3i1G

— Great Ife Students' Union (@GreatIfe_SU) November 1, 2023

Meanwhile, the OAU Students’ Union has condemned the raid in a statement via its Twitter handle.

The statement reads, “We strongly condemn the recent unjust arrest and harassment of our fellow students by members of the EFCC @officialEFC in the odd hours of today, Nov 1st, 2023.

“This action is unacceptable and goes against the principles of justice and due process,” it said.

The students’ body said it stands in solidarity with the arrested students, calling for a thorough investigation into these incidents. “The safety and rights of students must be protected,” it said.