EFCC Raid: Gov Aiyedatiwa Meets Nite Club Owners, Promises To Look Into Complaints, Police Sue For Peace

By Ayodele Oni

Ondo State Governor, Lucky  Aiyedatiwa, on Sunday met with owners of night clubs in Akure following the raid by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at the weekend.

Owners of night clubs and hotels affected by the raid gave the accounts of how their facilities were vandalized by the officers of the anti-graft body when they arrested some suspected internet fraudsters in the early hours of Saturday in Akure.

This is just as the State Police command explained its role in the EFCC operation.

The EFCC had stated that its operatives, acting on intelligence reports, stormed the outlets to effect the arrest of 127 people allegedly holding ‘Yahoo Parties’ and those who had been on the radar of the Commission.

Addressing the club owners at the meeting held at the Government House, Governor Aiyedatiwa sympathized with them on the damages done to their facilities and loss of revenue.

The Governor urged them to compile a record of all their facilities destroyed during the raids so they can use it to present  genuine cases to the necessary authorities.

Saying that there can’t be smoke without fire, the Governor said the EFCC has the mandate to carry out arrest of suspects and must have acted on credible intelligence to carry out the raids.

Governor Aiyedatiwa, however, said innocent people affected by the operation should seek redress, while those who have cases to answer should be allowed to defend themselves.

The governor added  that he has been in communication with top security agencies to get credible reports on the incident, and promised to intervene wherever necessary.

The club owners, who thanked the Governor for the timely meeting, said they were not part of those planning to hold a protest over the incident.

In a statement, the police command spokesperson,

Funmilayo Odunlami -Omisanya,

said it was informed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission before the operation.

“The Police on receipt of the information on the sting operations at about 0330hrs of 09/06/2024 made contact with relevant stakeholders to ensure there was no breakdown of law and order in the state.

“The State Government and the Inspector-General of Police have been informed and are taking steps to ensure that all concerns are addressed without prejudice.

“Thus, the Command calls for peace to allow relevant authorities look into the matter with a view to addressing the complaints and concerns of aggrieved residents.

“The Command recognizes the constitutional rights of citizens to peaceful protest but this rights must be exercised without breach of public order and non infringement on the rights of other law abiding citizens.

“The Police owe it a duty to protect the rights of all citizens and foreign nationals resident within or transiting through the State at all times.

“We appeal to the good people of Ondo State especially the youths who claimed to have been adversely affected by the sting operation to act with restraint and comport themselves within the ambits of the laws of the land.

“While urging victims and their sympathizers to calm their frayed nerves and follow laid down procedures in channeling their complaints to appropriate authorities for possible redress and not embark on a self help mission that can lead to break down of law and order in the State.”