- By Halimah Olamide
A yet-to -be identified groom was among over 100 suspected internet fraudsters arrested in Akure, the Ondo state by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at the weekend.
It was gathered that the commission’s operatives got intelligence that some wanted suspects in connection with internet fraud were going to attend a bachelor’s eve at one hotel at the Alagbaka, GRA area of the state capital overnight.
NPO Reports that the operatives stormed the hotel when the event was underway creating panic as they shot into the air to ward off any resistance to arrests.
EFCC, in one of its tweets on Friday, confirmed the arrest. It’s tweet read: “The alleged internet fraudsters were arrested in an early morning sting operation at a “Yahoo Party” held simultaneously at Signature and Abah Clubs on Saturday, June 8, 2024 in Akure, Ondo State.
“Credible intelligence showed that the alleged party was initially scheduled for Wednesday, June 5, 2024 but was later moved to Saturday to beat security and intelligence networks of the EFCC.
The suspects have given useful information to Investigators of the Directorate.
“Items recovered from them include ten exotic cars, phones, laptops, motor-cycle, wristwatches and many incriminating documents.”
The arrest had caused uproar as some accused the operatives of abusing the rights of many met at the event in the course of effecting the arrests.
An X user, Oluyemi Fasipe accused EFCC operatives of brutalising many female guests at the party with videos of lacerated bodies shown as evidence.
In his tweet, he had written, “EFCC, this is what your rogue officers did to innocent ladies last night. They also took away their wigs after their dehumanisation. I am sharing this for the whole to see how irresponsible and unprofessional your agency can be.”
Asked to comment on this allegation, EFCC spokesman, Mr. Dele Oyewale said officials of the commission who carried out the arrest denied engaging in any act of this nature.