Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) appears to have disregarded its ban on night operations following a raid on student residences at the Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA) in the wee hours.
Development Diaries reports that a statement issued by the Students’ Union Government (SUG) of the university claimed that the raid occurred on 14 February.
The student body also claimed that the operatives damaged property, harassed a female student, and cruelly injured a few other students.
Unfortunately, this happened despite the commission barring its operatives from carrying out such operations.
It is important to note that the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act guarantees protection of the rights of Nigerian citizens from all forms of violence.
The EFCC, like any law enforcement agency, has a mandate to combat financial crimes and corruption within the country. However, when their operations extend to raiding student hostels and allegedly assaulting students, it raises concerns about human rights.
The operatives should not have used such harmful methods. Due process should always be followed, and no one should be physically or psychologically harmed in the process.
Every individual, including students, has the right to dignity and respect. Raiding hostels without proper warrants and subjecting students to assault violates their dignity and can have lasting psychological effects.
All individuals, regardless of their status as students, are entitled to fair treatment under the law. Assaulting students during raids undermines this principle and can create a culture of impunity where law enforcement officials feel they can act outside the bounds of the law.
Additionally, indiscriminate raids provide opportunities for abuse of power by law enforcement officials. Without proper oversight and accountability measures in place, there is a risk that raids may be conducted for ulterior motives or personal gain rather than legitimate law enforcement purposes.
Nigeria is a signatory to various international human rights treaties and conventions that protect the rights of individuals, including students.
Actions that violate these rights, such as arbitrary raids and assaults, contravene Nigeria’s obligations under international law.
Development Diaries calls on the EFCC to investigate allegations of physical assault and harassment of the FUTA students and discipline errant officers.
We also call on the Chairman of the EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, to ensure the commission’s operatives abide by laid down rules of engagement and procedures during operations to avoid infringement on the rights of citizens.
