Akure Arrests: EFCC Denies Alleged Dehumanisation of Suspects

By Linus Aleke, Abuja

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has denied the alleged dehumanisation of suspected internet fraudsters, arrested in different locations in Akure, during sting operations by the Ibadan Zonal Command of the commission, over the weekend.

The Ibadan Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, had on Saturday, June 8, 2024, arrested no fewer than 127 suspected internet fraudsters in Ondo State.

The anti-graft body on Sunday, expressed shocks over trending narratives particularly from social media about brutalisation, including a trending video of two ladies showing bodies lacerated by whips

In a statement titled, “EFCC’s Akure Arrests Setting the Records Straight,” the Head, of Media and Publicity, EFCC, Mr. Dele Oyewale, said the Standard Operating Procedure of the EFCC foreclose the use of brute force or unprofessional conduct in the course of any operation.

EFCC Spokesperson also disclosed that no damage was done to the CCTV facility at the scene of the arrest, adding the device was removed by a staff of the Club at the instance of operatives of the Commission to preserve the footage for further analysis of the role of each of the arrested suspects in the alleged crime.

According to Oyewale, “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 present the 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”.

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The Commission urges the public to discountenance this video as it may have been stage-managed to achieve unclear motives.

Oyewale noted that the Commission will subject the video to forensic analysis to establish its falsehood and prepare a case against purveyors of this distasteful stunt.

The statement further reads: ‘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 operations. The officers that carried out the arrests neither came to the scene of the crime with a 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 footage 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. It is needful to state, for the umpteenth time, that the Standard Operating Procedure of the EFCC forecloses the use of brute force or unprofessional conduct in the course of any operation. The EFCC is a civilized law enforcement agency with optimal respect for human dignity and the rule of law”.

Noting that profiling of suspects arrested at the scene of the crime has been completed he concluded that the suspects will be prosecuted accordingly.

Regrettably, this damaging allegation is coming barely 48 hours after the Chief Executive Officer and National Coordinator of Service Compact with all Nigerians, SERVICOM, Mrs Nnenna Akajemeli applauded the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on its deft and professional handling of issues involved in currency mutilation, racketeering and other instances of Naira Abuse.

Akajemeli gave the commendation in Abuja when she led her team on a courtesy visit to the Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede at the corporate headquarters of the Commission.

According to her, the operational dynamism of the EFCC has succeeded in breaking the age-long tradition of spraying of Naira notes across the country, with the attendant effects of respect and dignity being accorded the national currency.

“The EFCC has changed that aspect of our culture. Today, across the country, Nigerians no longer spray, staple, mutilate or do any dishonourable thing to the Naira. The symbol of our economy is now being respected,” she said.

Akajemeli said her team was in the Commission to seek closer and stronger collaboration and continued effectiveness of the Servicom Unit in the EFCC, stressing that the EFCC has done well in service delivery.