EFCC raids hotels and nightclubs in Akure, arresting over 50 suspects, including a groom celebrating his Bachelor’s Eve. Seized items include vehicles and electronics, highlighting ongoing efforts to combat internet fraud in Nigeria.
In the early hours of Saturday, operatives from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) conducted a sweeping raid on several lounges and event venues in the Alagbaka area of Akure, Ondo State. This operation resulted in the arrest of multiple individuals, including a groom celebrating his Bachelor’s Eve party.
The EFCC apprehended over 50 suspects, allegedly involved in internet fraud, during the extensive raid that lasted several hours. According to eyewitnesses, the raid began around 1 a.m., with EFCC personnel arriving in numerous vehicles and deploying tear gas and gunfire to control the situation.
Sources on the scene reported that the EFCC seized a variety of items, including vehicles, laptop computers, high-end smartphones, and other personal belongings. One eyewitness recounted the intensity of the raid, describing how EFCC operatives forcibly entered nightclubs and lounges, using tear gas and physical force to detain individuals. Two soldiers were reportedly injured in the chaos.
Among the detainees was a soon-to-be groom, who was arrested along with his friends while celebrating his Bachelor’s Eve at one of the targeted nightclubs. This particular incident has drawn significant attention and sympathy, highlighting the broader issue of profiling and the aggressive tactics sometimes employed in such raids.
The EFCC’s actions are part of an ongoing effort to crack down on internet fraud and other financial crimes in Nigeria. The agency has been increasingly active in recent months, aiming to dismantle networks of fraudsters operating across the country. However, the methods used and the impact on innocent bystanders have sparked a mix of reactions from the public and advocacy groups.
This latest raid underscores the challenges and controversies surrounding the EFCC’s operations, as they continue their mission to combat financial crimes while navigating the delicate balance of enforcing the law and respecting individual rights.
