The Ilorin zonal command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested 30 suspected internet fraudsters at the Kwara State University (KWASU).
Wilson Uwujaren, EFCC’s spokesman, broke the news in a statement.
Uwujaren said the suspects were arrested following an intelligence report on their alleged involvement in internet-related fraud.
“Part of the intelligence indicated that suspected internet fraudsters were operating in campuses around Ilorin to swindle unsuspecting victims of their hard-earned income,” he said.
The spokesman said based on intelligence reports and weeks of surveillance, EFCC operatives searched some hostels in the university on September 19 and made a number of arrests.
He added that during interrogation, those found not culpable were released to the Students Union Government (SUG) of the institution, while others were taken to the zonal command headquarters for interrogation.
Uwujaren said that some of the items recovered from the suspects were six exotic cars, several laptops, mobile phones and incriminating documents.
He said the suspects would be charged in court as soon as the investigation was concluded.
The anti-graft agency has been under fire for raiding hotels in commando-like manner.
SaharaReporters had last week reported how EFCC conducted a series of raids on some hotels in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, for suspected internet fraudsters during which its operatives opened fire on some lodgers.
Eyewitnesses said the armed EFCC officials, who operated like armed robbers, stormed Abeokuta in the early hours of September 13 in Toyota Hilux buses and made their way to at least three hotels and two nightclubs.
A witness was quoted as saying, “My cousin was shot because he tried to escape from the hotel and we quickly drove him to a hospital where he was briefly treated before we moved him to Ilaro for full recovery. It was really bad because they operated like armed robbers and they were very fast with their activities.”
Another witness said electricity was disconnected before one of the hotels was raided and officers did not knock before pulling down doors, breaking into rooms and violating the privacy of both men and women.
It was gathered that over 30 cars were seized at Mitros alone, which witnesses linked to an infamous Internet fraud suspect who was celebrating his birthday at the facility.
Witnesses also said the EFCC agents wanted to enter Conference Hotel, Abeokuta, but realised that its proprietor, Gbenga Daniel, was in the ruling All Progressives Congress and subsequently backed away after initially parking outside the hotel.
