The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) conducted a raid on private hostels at Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS) early Saturday morning. The operation led to the arrest of several students, including a campus journalist. EFCC operatives stormed hostels in the Kwakwalawa, Gidan Yaro, and Dandima areas around 5 am, apprehending students they encountered.
The arrested individuals were taken to the EFCC office in Sokoto for questioning. A campus reporter, who requested anonymity, recounted his experience. He said his roommate woke him up shortly after 5 am, informing him that EFCC officials had entered their estate.
The reporter did not attempt to flee, knowing he was not involved in any crimes. “Everyone they met in our hostel was arrested and driven in their vehicles to their office in the state. They wasted our time, checking through our phones.
Efcc apprehends UDUS students in raids
But they did not beat us,” the journalist stated. He added that the EFCC personnel checked his email, bank apps, crypto wallets, and WhatsApp chats before releasing him around 1 pm.
Another student, Abdulmalik Abdulkadir, shared a similar experience. The EFCC officials scrutinized his private instant messaging and bank apps, repeatedly asking if he had incriminating information on his phone. Abdulkadir estimated that 16 students were arrested from his hostel, with a total of over 46 students apprehended across all the targeted locations.
While some students, including the journalist and Abdulkadir, were released, others remained in custody at press time. The EFCC claimed that those still detained were suspected of involvement in cybercrimes. Both students confirmed that the operatives did not collect any money from them before their release.
The EFCC has gained a reputation for conducting overnight raids on student residences and business premises to arrest individuals suspected of engaging in or abetting cybercrimes. Dele Oyewale, the EFCC spokesperson, was contacted for comment but had not provided feedback or answered a follow-up call as of press time.
