Police call for calm as youths protest ‘assault’ during EFCC raid of Ondo clubs

The police command in Ondo has urged youths in the state to exercise restraint over their grievances against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The police asked the youths to comport themselves and act within the ambit of the law during their protest against the EFCC.

On Saturday, EFCC operatives raided two clubs simultaneously in Akure, the Ondo state capital, and arrested 127 suspected internet fraudsters.

There have been social media reports online alleging assault and theft by the EFCC operatives during the raid.

There were also allegations that the operatives destroyed the CCTV devices in the clubs.

Reacting to the allegations, the anti-graft agency said the operation was devoid of any incident as the EFCC operatives “conducted themselves professionally”.

”The commission wishes to state that no suspect was assaulted, brutalised or subjected to any dehumanising treatment during the Saturday operation. It is also false that tear gas was fired at the crime scene,” EFCC had said.

POLICE APPEAL

In a statement on Monday, Funmilayo Odunlami-Omisanya, Ondo police spokesperson, urged the youths to channel their complaints to the appropriate authorities for redress.

“The command recognizes the constitutional rights of citizens to peaceful protest but these rights must be exercised without breach of public order and non infringement on the rights of other law abiding citizens,” the statement reads.

“Police owe 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.”

Currently, residents are on the streets in some parts of Akure to protest against the alleged assault by EFCC operatives.

The protesters are demanding for the unconditional release of the suspects arrested at the clubs.

Here are photos from the protest: