EFCC bans overnight raids after OAU operation backfires

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has banned “sting operations at night time” for officers in all its commands across the country, it said in a statement late Wednesday. The development came after the night raid on students of Obafemi Awolowo University and amid backlash from Nigerians. The anti-graft agency had also labelled the undergraduates as internet fraudsters (Yahoo Boys) after seizing their mobile phones and laptops. Dele Oyewale, a spokesman for the EFCC, in a statement on Wednesday night, said the executive chairman of the commission, Ola Olukayode, gave the directive to stop the night operations. Mr Oyewale confirmed that the directive was in reaction to the arrest of 69 “suspected internet fraudsters” by operatives of the Ibadan Zonal of the commission. “In line with the newly-reviewed procedures on arrest and bail of suspects by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission,” Mr Olukoyede “has directed that sting operations at night time be stopped in all the Commands of the EFCC,” the statement said. Mr Oyewale further noted that many of the suspects duly profiled by the command have been released, while profiling of suspects yet un-released would also be completed without further delay. Peoples Gazette reported the release of 58 students Wednesday night, citing their legal representatives.