Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the early hours of Saturday allegedly raided several lounges and event venues located in the Alagbaka area of Akure, Ondo State capital, and arrested several suspects including a soon-to-to bridegroom.>>>CONTINUE FULL READING HERE....CONTINUE READING THE ARTICLE FROM THE SOURCE
Our correspondent gathered that no fewer than 50 persons, suspected to be involved in internet fraud, were apprehended by the EFCC operatives during the raid that lasted several hours.
It was also gathered that one of the suspects, a soon-to-be groom, was celebrating his Bachelor’s Eve party with friends at one of the targeted nightclubs, when he was arrested.
The raid, according to a source, which occurred around 1am, saw EFCC personnel storming the areas in various vehicles with attendant gunshots.
According to the source, EFCC operatives seized numerous vehicles, laptop computers, high-end smartphones, and other items during the operations.>>>CONTINUE FULL READING HERE
The source added, “They were entering the nightclubs and lounges, tear-gassing people, beating them up and arresting them. They don’t care who they are, even two soldiers were injured as they shot tear gas canisters inside one of the clubs.
“They also went away with a groom and his friends at a club, he was there for his bachelor’s eve, so sad as they profiled everyone as an Internet fraudster.”
Meanwhile, the lawmaker representing Ondo East/West Federal constituency at the House of Representatives, Hon. Abiola Makinde, has condemned raid on some nightclubs and lounges in the Akure, the Ondo State capital, in early hours of Saturday.
Makinde, who is the chairman, House Committee on human rights, described the raid as invasion of privacy of innocent citizens of Nigeria.
A statement by Makinde’s media aide, Moshood Alli, declared EFCC raid at Signatures club was quite disturbing.
According to him, after contacting leader of the team who raided the club, he was told that they have their orders and intelligence report before the exercise.
The lawmaker urged people in the area to remain calm while the matter was investigated and resolved.
He said: “Absolutely, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), as Nigeria’s premier anti-graft agency, has a critical role in combating financial crimes.
“However, it is imperative that in the pursuit of justice, the EFCC adheres strictly to the principles of human rights.
“Reports of raids leading to violations of personal dignity and privacy, such as the incident involving a former Big Brother Naija housemate, highlights the need for the EFCC to conduct operations with respect for the law and human decency.
“Please note that the agency’s mandate to investigate financial crimes does not exempt it from the obligation to respect human rights, which includes ensuring that raids are conducted legally, with proper warrants, and without undue harm to individuals.
“The concerns raised by various incidents underscore the importance of accountability and the adherence to human rights standards to maintain public trust in law enforcement agencies.
“I’ll activate the State Director of National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Mr Sunday Oyewole, to look into the matter. Any violations will be addressed between the two federal agencies.”>>>CONTINUE FULL READING HERE
