By Ishaya Ibrahim, News Editor
Nigerians are warming up to hit the street again as they did during last year’s #EndSARS protest. This time, they are taking up the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for invading their homes and hotel suits under the guise of chasing internet fraudsters.
In August, the EFCC broke into the home of a former housemate in the Big Brother Naija Lockdown edition, Dorothy Bachor, at about 4:45 am. They later claimed the intrusion was in error, that their target was someone else.
The EFCC had in July, also broke into Parktonian Hotel in the Lekki area of Lagos, gaining access into guests’ rooms by seizing the master cards from the management of the hotel at gunpoint. They pounced on guests naked during the raid.
A Nollywood filmmaker, Biodun Stephen, has a few months ago, alleged that armed EFCC officials broke into her hotel room in Lagos but apologised to her when they realised that she was a film actor.
The frequency of such raids has prompted a Twitter storm against the EFCC. EFCC is now the number one trend on Nigeria’s Twitter, even though the use of the App is banned in the country.
@mrmacaronii said: “Nobody is saying the EFCC shouldn’t do their job. But raiding hotels every other day, thereby; harassing Nigerians who just happen to be at the location and also ruining businesses in the hospitality sector is highly irresponsible.
@KingDouyeAlfred also said: “What the current EFCC is doing actually an enforcement of Sharia for all intents and purposes. Hanging out at bars or partying in hotels is not an economic or financial crime – It is a crime under Sharia law though. This thing has become basically a national hisbah. It’s not a year after the #EndSars protests broke out across Nigeria, the EFCC has done quick evolution into the niche SARS left.
@tundeleye said: “Because no one at the top of EFCC will face any consequences. So, they will continue madness like raiding hotels and whole estates.”
@SirEilliam said: “Has EFCC conducted any Hotel raids in Northern Nigeria? Or are Southern Nigerian hospitality and leisure businesses the only targets for this economic attack? Southern Governors announce VAT, EFCC increases attacks on Tax earning businesses…”
@ayemojubar said, quoting EFCC chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa: “I can’t expose Boko Haram financiers – Bawa.
“Then I wonder what’s the reason for EFCC’s existence. Is it to be harassing people around in hotels?,” he said.
@UchePOkoye alleged: “If you go to EFCC headquarters in Enugu, the official language is Hausa. #ENDEFCC”
