FROM IKHILI EBALU, BENIN CITY
Scores of students of Ambrose Alli University, AAU, Ekpoma, Edo State, have allegedly fled the school for fear of arrest by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
This is sequel to a recent raid by operatives of the anti-graft commission at different locations in Ekpoma on February 15.
AljazirahNigeria recalls that EFCC arrested 47 suspected internet fraudsters during the raid in the university town.
The commission noted that the suspects were arrested based on credible intelligence that linked them to fraudulent internet activities.
Items recovered from the suspects include 14 exotic cars, laptops and phones.
The commission stated that the suspects had made useful statements and would be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.
A student of the institution who identified herself as Chioma said the school premises is now devoid of the usual human and vehicular traffic.
Chioma named the students-populated areas in Ekpoma recently raided by the anti-graft agency to include Ihimudumu, Poultry, G1 and G2 Streets, among others.
“Since the raid, the streets are virtually empty. During lecture hours, the majority of students you see are those who reside in the school hostels,” she said.
There are, however, conflicting reasons as to why the anti-graft agency raided the community.
AljazirahNigeria gathered that the raid was attributed to the activities of syndicate fraudsters who reportedly duped unsuspecting victims of N1.4 billion while another source claimed that the agency became suspicious of the students, following wild jubilation after their final year examinations on January 29.
A footage of the celebration which went viral showed students in exotic motorcade display.
In the video, the students were also seen using sirens, spraying money, shouting and hooting, even as they blocked the access roads leading in and out of the university.
The management of the university at the time expressed concern that despite the memo prohibiting wild jubilation and celebration on campus, graduating students violated the directive.
It, therefore, cancelled and rescheduled all the final year examinations written on the said date.
