Nigerian Youths Announce Nationwide Protests Against EFCC,Call for Reforms

By: Israel Adeleke 

In a move to stop the harassment faced by innocent Nigerians, Nigerian youths have announced a nationwide peaceful protest aimed at demanding the reform of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).   

OPEN TELEVISION Naija gathered that the announced protest which was made public by PidomNigeria, an independent investigative news platform scheduled to take place on Friday, July 5, 2024.    

According to the platform, the youth are united in their call for transparency and accountability within the EFCC, which they believe has been mired in inefficiency and corruption.      

It explained that the protest aims to bring attention to the need for comprehensive reforms within the EFCC to restore public trust in the agency.    

PidomNigeria wrote: “After due consultations, we have agreed that the Time is 11am to 3pm. Venue: in front of EFCC corporate headquarters, and all zonal commands in Nigeria. Theme: A peaceful non violent protest.” Flyers for the protest will be out by tomorrow, 30th of June.    

“We shall demand for the reform of EFCC @officialEFCC peacefully.” “They should respect the fundamental and constitutional rights of all Nigerians, especially youths”.

“They should stop assaulting innocent Nigerians. Invading homes, hotels and night clubs like armed robbers in the middle of the night, destroying and stealing properties" 

The platform recall an even act performed by the agency of EFCC towards a couple who were having their honeymoon in a hotel.

The platform wrote "A couple who did their wedding, and were enjoying their honeymoon in a hotel in another state, outside from where they did their wedding. 

"EFCC operatives invaded the hotel to raid. They broke into all the rooms, including where the couple were lodged while they were both naked. 

"They carried the husband for no reason, joined him amongst others they arrested in the hotel, and tagged him a suspected internet fraudster. He ended up in detention”   

“EFCC should be more professional in their fight against cybercrimes and other forms of criminalities, by singling out their suspects, after due diligence and proper investigation, so they can go after them with watertight evidence and court order, without assaulting innocent people, or endangering anyone. just like the FBI operates." The platform recalled.

Furthermore, PidomNigeria gave another senerio of the even activity of the Agency of the EFCC.

It said "A young man flew into Nigeria from the US. He wanted to catch a local flight to his final destination, but the weather became bad with so many flight cancellations. 

"His flight was rescheduled for the next day, so he opted to lodge in an hotel in town, so he could fly the next day. Unfortunately for him, EFCC invaded that hotel like armed robbers in the night, broke into all the rooms, arrested everyone, and left with them. 

T"he young man was tagged a suspected internet fraudster, and was paraded in their usual mugshot, with them facing back. He ended up in detention, he missed his flight, and lost so many of the things he traveled with back to Nigeria”  

“That is why we are calling for the reform of EFCC, because anyone could be a victim of their unlawful arrest, and flagrant abuse of human right. Repost and share massively.” It said.

Recall that officials from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) launched a raid on the Annex and Regional hotels located in Isashi, Ojo, Lagos State.   

Unfortunately for the operative, CCTV footage from the scene captured the moment the anti-graft agency operatives assaulted the hotel manager and other guests, both men and women.

The footage of the video was also sighted by OPEN TELEVISION Naija correspondent.

According to investigative news platform, Pidom Nigeria, the officials stole ATM cards, money, and phones. 

Pidom Nigeria wrote: “EFCC @officialEFCC officials early this morning invaded Annex and Regional hotels in Isashi ojo Lagos, owned by same person. 

"They broke into rooms, assaulted guests and workers, stole ATM cards, money and phones. Shot sporadically at guests, injured innocent customers, and arrested lots of people. Nigeria is a Banana Republic.   

“For clarity, the room they broke into in this CCTV footage belongs to workers and staff of the hotel. The person in there is the manager, whom they assaulted.   

“She heard their noise and woke up from sleep by past 4:am. Only for them to break into the room and they started assaulting her. They did the same thing to most of the guests. They beat and assaulted many of them. Both women and men. 

"The camera was installed in the workers general room by the management of the hotel, so workers don’t sell out the room, or engage in acts the hotel is against, or even smuggle things in there. It’s just for sleeping, but the convenience has no camera.   

“They will definitely come out to deny this video, or claim the persons on the CCTV footage are not EFCC officials. See them leaving with guests they illegally arrested here. They are still in EFCC office in Lagos. Let’s wait for their group mugshot anytime soon with lies”. The statement added.