EFCC Invades University Hostels, Arrests Students, FUTA Mgt. Protests

By Ayodele Oni

The Management of the Federal University of Technology, (FUTA) has kicked against the invasion of off campus hostels, maltreatment and arrest of students by officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC).

The Management flayed the timing and mode of operation of the operatives which was said to have taken place at about 2.00 am Wednesday.

A statement signed by Adegbenro Adebanjo, Director, Corporate Communication of FUTA, maintained that such patently dangerous tactics should not have been employed by the Operatives.

The statement reads: “The attention of the Federal University of Technology Akure, FUTA has been drawn to an incident involving some operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC who raided some private hostels in the Orita Obele area of Akure metropolis where some students of the University reside.

“Contrary to some false reports making the round, the operatives of EFCC did not invade FUTA and there was no operation whatsoever within the hostels or precincts of the University. The Incident in question happened in private hostels off campus.

“However the University expresses strong reservation about the timing and mode of the operation said to have taken place around 2.00am on Wednesday February 14, 2024.

“Reports indicate that the Operatives barged in and violently woke sleeping students and treated them most unfairly in the course of the operation.

“Such patently dangerous tactics should not have been employed by the operatives. The process should always follow the due process without causing harm or injuries to anybody physically or psychologically.

“Indeed but for providence something untoward could have happened in the course of the operation carried out in the off campus hostels.

“The University is in touch with the EFCC to ascertain the identity of those arrested and validate their studentship and also to ensure that innocent FUTA students are not punished for offences they have not committed.

“FUTA abhors all forms of anti-social practices including acts of criminality in all its forms and supports all initiatives to bring perpetrators to face the consequences of their actions within the ambits of the law.

“The University rules and regulations as contained in the Students Code of Conduct as stipulated in the University Handbook and oath of Matriculation which all students are made to sign specifically prescribes varying degree of punishment for students who run afoul of the laws governing their studentship or engage in illegal acts or odious behavior. The Handbook will guide the University in the current situation.”