Youths protest EFCC invasion in Akure

Some youths in Akure, the capital of Ondo State, caused a gridlock around the city, protesting against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over a sting operation carried out in some nightclubs in the state.

The youths, who are also protesting the arrest of some people at the nightclubs, said many of those arrested by the agency were held on unfounded allegations.

The protesters displayed placards with various inscriptions such as “End EFCC,” “EFCC free our brothers,” “We don’t scam, give us jobs,” and “EFCC stop the extortion and harassment.”

The protest, which lasted several hours, caused traffic gridlock within the state capital and forced passengers to use commercial motorcycles, while many were stranded in the traffic.

It will be recalled that the operatives of the EFCC stormed two popular nightclubs in the Alagbaka area of Akure over the weekend and arrested 127 persons suspected to be internet fraudsters.

Addressing the protesters, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Tayo Oluwatuyi, and State Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Saka Yusuf-Ogunleye, assured the protesters that the government would work towards securing the release of those arrested.

Oluwatuyi, however, appealed to the protesters not to fight or cause inconveniences for anybody, promising to get in touch with the EFCC office in Ibadan to secure the release of those arrested.