On February 15, 2025, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) conducted an operation in Ekpoma, Edo State, leading to the arrest of 47 individuals suspected of being involved in internet fraud.
A statement posted by the commission on Monday, February 17, 2025, on its official social media handle, said the action was based on credible intelligence.
During the operation, authorities seized 14 luxury cars, laptops, and phones from the suspects.
Following the arrests, there has been considerable backlash on social media. Users voiced their concerns, regarding the legitimacy of the operation, questioning the credibility of the intelligence that supposedly justified the arrests.
Several users highlighted the circumstances of the arrests, which took place at a lounge during a Valentine’s Day event, accusing authorities of targeting individuals enjoying a night out, rather than engaging in thorough investigations.
Critics expressed disbelief over the EFCC’s ability to link all 47 arrested individuals to fraudulent activities without proper investigation, contrasting this with the commission’s slow progress in addressing corruption, among politicians.
Some users argued that possessing luxury items does not necessarily imply involvement in criminal activity, suggesting that the actions taken by the EFCC reflect a skewed approach towards policing and crime prevention.
Others noted the arrest’s impact on innocent individuals, including reports of authorities taking phones from female patrons, while only arresting the males present.
There is an ongoing effort among student groups to advocate for the release of those deemed innocent.
@slimfrink said: “What happened to the ban on night raids?”
@miller_brid said: “What credible intelligence, was that the reason you arrested random clubers who where enjoying Valentine at backyard lounge and club pave?
“You just burst them like sardines and seized thier handsets. Can you show evidence of tracking that lead to thier arrest?
@AgbaChadox said: “Your illegal operation was carried out on the night of Val. 14th Feb !! As of 11pm through the next morning.
“You had no grounds to forcefully take people to Benin. You won’t post that you forced the ladies to submit their phones to you.
@mayor331 said: “@officialEFCC, so having cars laptops and ohones now in Nigeria made someone a criminal. Without any investigation done you guys went to street of ekpoma to arrest people and call them criminal you guys are even worst than criminals in this country.
Read also: How my Chinese employer led me into cyber-terrorism, internet fraud –EFCC witness
“A lot of news are currently going around now in Nigeria, you people didn’t talk or investigate the matter but you can go to the street of Ekpoma and arrest the boys that are even doing the country good.
“The politicians in the country take the money of the country and spend it outside the country. None of you agencies are investigating them and bringing them to justice, but you are quick to carry boys from street.”
@Greymorgarn said: “You investigated 47 people within a day, and linked them all to fraudulent internet activities. And it’s taking you guys forever to investigate the politicians that are killing us. That’s soo unbelievable.”
@Ade_silver said: “They came to Ekpoma on Saturday, to arrest people at a lounge called BACKYARD. They took all the ladies phones leaving them unarrested and arrested all the boys. They told the girls to come to Benin to retrieve their phones. SUG are making efforts to get the innocent released. Thank you.”
@Pharmacest said: “If i am able to buy iPhone and car , that means i’m into Internet frauding? Because that’s what you’re projecting in this picture to push your agenda . You guys need to think outside the box fr . Dumb institution.”
