By Ejiofor Toochi
Imagine staying at a hotel or a short-let for work or urgent reasons when suddenly, a group of government officials barges in to conduct a raid, harassing and possibly arresting you in the process.
On Thursday, June 27, 2024, operatives from the Lagos Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arrested 117 suspected internet fraudsters at the Regional Hotel in Iyana-Ishasi, Lagos. A viral video captured the officers assaulting a female hotel staff during the raid.
Over the past few years, it has become ubiquitous for EFCC officers to conduct raids at odd hours in hotels or short-lets, often harassing guests in the process. In July 2021, about 30 suspects were arrested by the EFCC during a raid on Parktonian Hotel in Lekki, Lagos State. It was alleged that they seized the hotel’s master keys from the management at gunpoint, and some guests, who were naked under their duvets, were interrogated by the operatives.
It only gets worse for those in tech as they’re often mistaken to be involved in internet fraud aka Yahoo. Upon seeing the laptop of a young Nigerian; most especially men, EFCC operatives conclude that they’re fraudsters, arrest and parade them. This was the case in November 2023 when about 69 students of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, were arrested by operatives of EFCC in a midnight raid on hostels outside the campus.
These actions by EFCC have instilled fear in Nigerians, particularly those who stay in hotels and short-let. Expressing his fear, Samuel Ajayi wrote on X (Twitter), “This heightens my fears about Nigeria. You come home for business or research and have to stay in a hotel. Next thing you’re abducted by criminal operatives and your name and picture released as a fraudster. Of course, you’ll have your laptop, phone, and car. They’ll see a c++ code running on your laptop, see paypal, cash app, and payoneer on your phone, then conclude they have their evidence you’re a criminal. I hate this.”
Bamidele, the owner of a short-let agency, recounted how one of his properties on the Island was nearly raided by officials who, according to the security guard, were from EFCC. He shared, “They didn’t gain full entrance to it because the property is maximum secured. However, the chances of them going in without proper procedure is very high.”
He described the EFCC’s actions as a ‘cause for worry’ that is significantly affecting his business. He shared that a client, who was returning to Nigeria last year, wanted to rent a short-let, but was discouraged and eventually canceled his reservation. The client was concerned for his safety after hearing about a friend’s experience with a raid.
No Nigerian wants to be a victim during a raid, especially when they’re innocent, so they’d rather be safe than sorry. In order to ensure their safety, many would prefer to lodge at their friends place or a hotel that’s highly secure. “From January to July, I’ve not leased out any property to anybody because most people are scared,” Bamidele disclosed.
It is imperative for the commission to consider the rights and dignity of citizens during their operations, and to follow proper procedure. For how long will the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in their bid to conduct raids at hotels or short-lets harass Nigerians?
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