Osun intervenes in alleged EFCC arrests, protest of suspected ‘Yahoo Boys’

The Osun Government has intervened in the protest by youths in Osogbo after operatives of the Economic Finance Crime Commission (EFCC) allegedly arrested suspected ‘Yahoo boys’ in the early hours of Tuesday.

The Nation had reported there was tension in Osogbo capital of Osun State as suspected ‘Yahoo Yahoo boys’ made bonfires at Hallelujah Estate and Lameco junction to protest the alleged illegal arrest of suspected Yahoo Boys.

The youths had resisted operatives of EFCC from taking about 20 cars of those arrested away from the area around 3am.

The youths alleged the operatives of EFCC invaded houses at the Hallelujah estate through the walls without arrest warrants.

Protests by the youths as they made roadblocks and bonfires caused heavy gridlock.

They were dispersed from the roads but later regrouped at Nelson Mandela Freedom Park via Old Garage in Osogbo to demand release of those arrested.

Men of Joint Task Force were on ground to maintain peace and order.

Commissioner for Youths and Sport, Hon Yemi Lawal, approached the agitating youths at Freedom Park calling for calm.

“I am here today to beg you that you should not fight each other and not to block roads during the protest.

“I am here to listen and attend to your grievances on behalf of the government. I will go to Ibadan now to see the people that were arrested. Please don’t be violent, I beg you,” he said.

One of the leaders of the protesters, who pleaded not to be named, said: “The Commissioner of Youths, Hon Lawal has called Governor Adegboye Oyetola on the matter and the Governor has ordered him to go to Ibadan the Zonal office of EFCC and ensure that those boys are taken back to the state. After that time they can now arrest them legally.”

The Nation however could not independently claim this claim as at the time of filing this report.