EFCC denies being responsible for Kwara Poly protest

By John Ogunsemore

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has faulted reports linking it to a Wednesday protest at the Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin.

Reports in a section of the media indicated that EFCC operatives were sighted patrolling areas around the institution at a time examinations were ongoing, a development that sparked panic among students.

Some students had staged a protest, burning tyres along sections of Old Jebba Road leading to the institution, in response to the development.

In a Thursday statement, the EFCC admitted it carried out a sting operation on Wednesday in Ilorin but emphasised it was not remotely connected to the polytechnic.

The statement reads, “Operatives of the Ilorin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, carried out a sting operation within two buildings flagged for suspected internet-related fraud at Agbede Community in Ilorin, Kwara state.

“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 profiling of the students showed that all the six students are actively involved in internet fraud.

“Eight vehicles suspected to be proceeds of crime were recovered from the suspects, alongside mobile phones and laptops.

“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 is untenable to link any protest by some students of the Polytechnic to the lawful operation of the EFCC.”

The EFCC maintained that any video in circulation linking students’ protest with the operation of the commission is contrived and outright misrepresentation of the operation.

It added, “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.”