Man calls out EFCC officials for allegedly assaulting students during midnight raid at Akwa Ibom State University

A Nigerian man, Akanimo Nseobon, has accused officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of assaulting young men during a late-night raid at the Akwa Ibom State University (AKSU), Obio Akpa campus, on Wednesday, October 23.

According to reports, EFCC operatives stormed student lodges in the area to arrest suspected internet fraudsters. However, a viral video from the operation shows some officers hitting unarmed suspects who did not resist arrest.

Condemning the incident, Nseobon took to social media to urge the Akwa Ibom State Government to investigate the alleged misconduct. He expressed outrage over the treatment of students and questioned the EFCC’s methods.

 Public Call to Action

“I am calling on the Akwa Ibom State Government, Governor Pastor Umo Eno, the Nigeria Police Force, Timfon John, and the EFCC to urgently investigate the illegal operations currently being carried out by some officers in Akwa Ibom State.

These agencies, meant to protect citizens, have turned against them — especially students. They invade hostels at midnight, beat up students, make unlawful arrests, and extort their hard-earned money.

I was a victim myself in 2024. My friends and I were arrested from our lodge late at night and taken in a mini bus to the Police Headquarters at Ikot Akpan Abia. Instead of being properly documented, we were threatened with false charges — robbery, cultism, or illegal possession of firearms — if we refused to pay. Out of fear, we complied. They emptied our accounts and dumped us along Aka Road, Uyo, around 1 a.m.”

He added that the latest video from Obio Akpa campus is only one example of many such illegal operations, and questioned the EFCC’s motives:

 “Why are EFCC officers breaking into student lodges at night?

Why must they beat up students during arrests?

Why can’t they follow due process if they truly have evidence?”

Nseobon lamented that Uyo’s streets are now filled with police checkpoints where young men are routinely harassed, extorted, and intimidated.

He concluded with a strong message of resistance:

 “We should not live in fear of those meant to protect us. Our justice system has failed us, and successive administrations in Akwa Ibom have done nothing to stop this menace.

Say NO to illegal arrests.

Say NO to arrests without warrants.

Say NO to extortion.

Say NO to robbers in uniform.”