Heavy security at Lagos EFCC office over planned protest
By Emma Ogbuehi
Two days after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) claimed that it had uncovered an unnamed shadowy group planning to instigate a protest against it, there is heavy security at the head office of the Commission situated on Awolowo Road, Ikoyi area of Lagos State.
TheNiche reported on Wednesday that the commission had raised the alarm that some groups were planning a series of protests against it.
The EFCC made the claim in a press statement posted on its X handle by Dele Oyewale, Head, Media and Publicity.
READ ALSO: EFCC vows not to tolerate breakdown of law and order
The Commission further claimed that there was “a grand design by corrupt elements under investigation or prosecution by the Commission to exploit the so-called protest to orchestrate a national uprising that may threaten the peace and security of our dear nation.”
The EFCC vowed not to tolerate any breakdown of law and order anywhere in the country especially around its office locations across Nigeria.
On Friday, operatives of the Lagos State Anti-Crime Outfit – Rapid Response Squad (RRS) with their vans were stationed strategically at routes leading to the Lagos EFCC office.
Men of the Department of State Services are also among the joint security forces who are at the routes with patrol vans, heavy anti-riot gun trucks and Black Marias.
TheNiche gathered that the protesters under the tag – #ReformEFCC have outlined six key demands which will be submitted to various offices of the commission across the country.
Some of their demands include:
“Respect our fundamental human rights
“Stop indiscriminate arrest and invasion of people’s homes
“Stop destroying people’s properties in the name of sting operation
“Stop the profiling of young Nigerians
“Stop assaulting and manhandling Nigerians”
A Twitter user, @PidomNigeria said: “This #ReformEFCC’s protest today is not sponsored by anyone, it’s not political, neither does it have any political undertone in it.
“It is purely a people centered organic peaceful protest, calling for a much needed reformation of EFCC, for a better performance. Anyone who is seen calling for Tinubu must go, or End APC at the protest venues, in order to give this peaceful protest a political coloration, will be handed over to the police by protesters.”