The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has ordered immediate stop of sting operations at night in all commands of the commission.
Olukoyede gave the directive in Abuja on Wednesday, in reaction to the arrest of 69 suspected internet fraudsters in Ile-Ife, Osun State, by operatives of the Ibadan zonal command of the EFCC.
The spokesperson for the anti-graft agency, Dele Oyewale made the development known in a statement issued on X, formerly called Twitter.
The statement reads; “In line with the newly-reviewed procedures on arrest and bail of suspects by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, the Executive Chairman of the Commission, Mr. Ola Olukoyede has directed that sting operations at night time be stopped in all the Commands of the EFCC.
“He gave the directive in Abuja on Wednesday, November 1, 2023 in reaction to the arrest of 69 suspected internet fraudsters by operatives of the Ibadan Zonal Command of the Commission in Ile-Ife, Osun State.
Already, many of the suspects duly profiled by the Command have been released, while profiling of suspects yet un-released will be completed, without further delay.
“The Commission wishes to assure the public that it will not relent in its adherence to the rule of law, in the exercise of its mandate.
Meanwhile, the EFCC has released 58 out of 69 students of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, arrested for suspected internet fraud.
The students were nabbed at Oduduwa Estate area of Ile-Ife following “actionable intelligence” on their suspected involvement in fraudulent internet-related activities.
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Coordinator for South-West, John Alao confirmed the students’ release.
Also confirming the release, the EFCC spokesman, Dele Oyewale, said “many of the suspects duly profiled by the Command have been released, while profiling of suspects yet un-released will be completed, without further delay.”
Oyewale, however, did not indicate the exact number of students that were released.
