The entrance to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) office in Ikoyi, Lagos, has been barricaded by armed security operatives.
This came in response to a planned nationwide protest scheduled for Friday by some young people, tagged #ReformEFCC.
According to organisers of the protest, the aim is to register their displeasure over the operating mode of the anti-graft agency.
Among the demands of those behind the planned protest include a stoppage to indiscriminate arrests and invasion of people’s homes/businesses by operatives of the commission at odd hours as well as putting a stop to stereotyping and profiling of young innocent Nigerian youths.
Recall that on Wednesday, the EFCC had warned against the planned protest and cautioned Nigerians to avoid cooperating with organisers of the planned protest.
The antigraft agency said those behind the planned protest have been campaigning on social media, recruiting young Nigerians, including students to take up “arms” against the commission.
“In the last couple of days, the group has been actively campaigning in the social media, recruiting impressionable young Nigerians, including students to take up “arms” against the EFCC.
“This insidious campaign is being promoted as resistance to the operational activities of the Commission especially in respect of the enforcement of the laws dealing with cybercrimes.
“The Commission, while not averse to protests by citizens, is alarmed by emerging evidence that suggest 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,” EFCC said in a statement.
The commission noted that as a responsible law enforcement organisation, it will not tolerate any breakdown of law and order anywhere in the country especially around its office locations across the country.
“EFCC, working in concert with sister security agencies, is therefore taking necessary measures to deal with possible threats to the peace and security of Nigeria.
“The Commission, however, appeals to parents, guardians and heads of tertiary institutions to take responsibility in ensuring that their wards are not recruited to be used as cannon fodder in a proxy war against the Commission by vested corrupt interests.
“The war being waged by the Commission against corruption and cybercrime is to protect the future of the youth of this country. That future is imperiled if Nigeria degenerates further in global reckoning as a den of fraudsters,” it added.