Ondo Nightclub Owners Protest EFCC Raids, Accuse Operatives Of Harassment
Nightclub operators, entertainers, and youths in Akure, the Ondo State capital, have staged a massive protest against the frequent and aggressive operations carried out by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The demonstration, which grounded vehicular traffic for several hours around the busy First Bank area and other key parts of Akure, was sparked by consecutive enforcement actions that the hospitality sector claims are decimating local businesses.
Protesters voiced deep frustration over recent midnight operations—notably a raid that resulted in the arrest of 127 individuals at popular clubs like Signatures and Alba Royale.
Tensions worsened following a subsequent EFCC operation near the Federal College of Agriculture, Akure (FECA), where witnesses reported hearing sporadic gunfire.
Business operators contend that the anti-graft agency’s “commando-style” entry tactics, destruction of facilities, and seizure of personal items like mobile phones and CCTV equipment have instilled fear in the community.
“We don’t know what we have done to the EFCC,” lamented a protester named Ayo.
“They always attack our clubs and harass our customers. These raids are negatively affecting our businesses and the entire entertainment industry in the state. We want the government to save us from this situation.”
While the protesters clarified that they are not opposed to the EFCC fulfilling its statutory role in fighting financial crimes, they implored both the anti-graft commission and the Ondo State Government to establish measures that respect human dignity and protect legitimate businesses from collapse.
