The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has dismissed claims linking its recent enforcement operation in Ilorin, Kwara State, to the protest staged by students of Kwara State Polytechnic, maintaining that its action was strictly targeted at suspected internet fraudsters.
In a statement posted on its official X handle on Thursday, the anti-graft agency clarified that operatives from its Ilorin Zonal Directorate carried out a sting operation on Wednesday at two buildings in the Agbede community, leading to multiple arrests.
“The operation, carried out on Wednesday, March 24, 2026, yielded the arrest of 30 suspected internet fraudsters, six of whom are students of Kwara State Polytechnic,” the commission said.
The EFCC further disclosed that preliminary investigations revealed the involvement of the six students in cybercrime activities. It added that several items believed to be proceeds of crime were recovered during the raid, including eight vehicles, mobile phones, and laptops.
Despite the timing of the operation, the commission firmly rejected any connection to the unrest at the polytechnic, insisting that its activities were confined to locations outside the school.
“The sting operation was not remotely connected to the Polytechnic. No entrance was made into the premises of the institution, and there was no disruption of any activity of the school,” it stated.
“It is untenable to link any protest by some students of the Polytechnic to the lawful operation of the EFCC. Any video in circulation linking students’ protest with the operation of the Commission is contrived and an outright misrepresentation of the operation.”
“The EFCC, for the umpteenth time, assures the public of the professionalism and integrity of its operations. All the channels of reporting unethical conduct of staff of the Commission remain open. The Commission will continue to work in the overall interests of Nigerians,” it added.
The clarification comes against the backdrop of heightened tension at the polytechnic on Wednesday, when reports of EFCC operatives in areas surrounding the campus—during ongoing examinations—triggered panic among students.
Eyewitnesses recounted scenes of confusion as students reportedly fled in different directions, with some alleging that an officer was seen chasing a student, further fuelling anxiety within the school community.
The situation escalated into a protest, as some aggrieved students blocked sections of Old Jebba Road with burning tyres, disrupting movement around the institution.
Security presence was later reinforced, with police operatives from the Oke-Oyi Division deployed to the school’s main gate to maintain order and prevent further escalation.
Reacting to the incident, the polytechnic’s management corroborated the EFCC’s position, stating that the operation did not directly involve the institution.
“The incident originated from reports of security operatives conducting official duties in the nearby Agbede community, an action which reportedly caused concern among some students. It is important to note that no students were arrested during the operation,” the management said.
The school authorities also downplayed the scale of the protest, noting that only a small number of students participated, while commending security agencies for their prompt response in restoring calm.
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