This was stated in a press statement issued by Dele Oyewale, EFCC Head of Media & Publicity on Sunday. He also claimed that none of their personnel fired tear gas during the operation, as alleged.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has claimed that its personnel who conducted a midnight raid in Ondo State on Saturday did not brutalise women as widely alleged by several reports online.
This was stated in a press statement issued by Dele Oyewale, EFCC Head of Media & Publicity on Sunday. He also claimed that none of their personnel fired tear gas during the operation, as alleged.
The statement reads: “Arising from the misinformation and distortion of facts about the arrest of 127 suspected internet fraudsters by operatives of the Ibadan Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Saturday, June 8, 2024, it becomes imperative to clearly present the true facts of the operation.
“The Operatives executed a classical sting operation at two Clubs simultaneously in Akure based on credible intelligence, leading to the arrest of the suspected fraudsters. The operation, in line with the established ground norm for such engagement, was devoid of any incident as the Operatives conducted themselves professionally.
“It was therefore shocking to be confronted with narratives particularly from the social media about brutalisation, including a trending video of two ladies showing bodies lacerated by whips.
“The Commission wants the public to discountenance this video as it may have been stage managed to achieve motives that are unclear. The Commission will subject this video to forensic analysis to establish its falsehood and prepare a case against purveyors of this distasteful stunt.
“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.
‘Those familiar with the Commission’s operations know that EFCC personnel do not use tear gas during sting operation. The officers that carried out the arrests neither came to the scene of crime with canister of tear gas nor whips, to inflict bodily injuries on suspects.
“It is also important to state that no damage was done to the CCTV facility at the scene of the arrest. The device was removed by a staff of the Club at the instance of operatives of the Commission to preserve the footages for further analysis of the role of each of the arrested suspects in the alleged crime.
‘Specifically, one of the arrested suspects, the manager of the Club, who confessed to the crime and directed the removal of the CCTV device for further investigative works by the Commission, is in the custody of the EFCC with the CCTV. He is assisting in the investigation of the crime.”
The agency insisted that its standard operating procedure is against the “use of brute force or unprofessional conduct in the course of any operation”.
It described itself as “a civilized law enforcement agency with optimal respect for human dignity and the rule of law”.
“Meanwhile, profiling of suspects arrested at the scene of the crime has been completed. They will be prosecuted accordingly,” it added.
SaharaReporters had earlier reported how Nigerians on X (formerly Twitter) called out the agency for the alleged brutality against women during the raid.
SaharaReporters learnt that the EFCC operatives during the raid arrested over 50 people whom they alleged to be internet fraudsters, popularly called ‘Yahoo Boys’.
Among those reportedly taken away was a groom-to-be, alongside his friends. They were reportedly in a club for the bachelor party of the groom-to-be when it was raided by the EFCC.
The personnel reportedly stormed the areas in multiple vehicles around 1 am, shooting indiscriminately into the air.
They also confiscated scores of vehicles, laptops, mobile phones, and other items.
It was also reported on social media that the EFCC officials physically assaulted some ladies during the raid.
Reacting to this, a user who identified himself as David Adeniyi, said the EFCC had lost the respect of the Nigerian masses.
He wrote: “The EFCC under Nuhu Ribadu was a bit more professional than the current EFCC. The EFCC has lost the respect and confidence that the public once had in its operatives.
“The same EFCC that became a "toothless dog" unable to arrest Yaya Bello is now molesting innocent youth in Akure.”
“They have taken so much from us, including good governance, free education, and even our freedom. The EFCC needs to do better...what happened in Akure is disheartening,” another X user, Olabamiji said.