The protestors chanted war songs as they burnt tyres on the affected road.
Tuesday’s protest embarked upon by youths against the operations of the anti-graft agency, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Delta State has turned violent and bloody. The protestors alleged incessant harassment, molestation, and arrest by officials of the anti-graft agency.
However, the protest soon turned violent with the burning of over 20 trucks with goods worth several million naira.
The protest, which caused serious commotion and panic took place at the Otovwodo junction of Ughelli community, Ughelli North Local Government Area of the state. It allegedly involved suspected internet fraudsters, popularly known as ‘Yahoo Boys.
SaharaReporters gathered that more than three youths were allegedly shot by personnel of the state command of the Nigeria Police Force.The victims are currently in a life-threatening condition at an undisclosed hospital in the area where they were taken for treatment.
Several trucks loaded with granites, petroleum products, and other goods were burnt by the protesting youths, who also barricaded the busy Otovwodo junction, Ughelli, along the East-West Road. The protestors chanted war songs as they burnt tyres on the affected road.
The protest which was tagged ‘#EndEFCC’ started around 11:00 am, disrupting vehicular movements.They displayed placards with different inscriptions such as “#EndEFCC”, “EFCC, leave us alone, we are not criminals”, and “Stop the harassment, molestation, intimidation, and indiscriminate arrest”.
Last Thursday, the agency announced the arrest of 95 suspected internet fraudsters at Adesa Ughonton and Jedda axis of Warri for alleged cyber fraud in a sting operation. The agency said it seized different brands of exotic vehicles, mobile phones, and laptops.
The bank accounts of those arrested were allegedly emptied by operatives of the commission, as alleged by sources.
The sources alleged that it is the officials’ usual way of extorting money from suspects after arrests. When contacted, the spokesperson for the state police command, DSP Bright Edafe, said he did not have details of the incident yet.
“At this moment, I don’t have any detail concerning the protest. I only saw the pictures on social media, but as soon as I get details, I shall reach back to you,” he said. However, Edafe failed to reach back to our correspondent as promised.
Meanwhile, vehicular movements and other activities at Otovwodo junction have remained grounded.
