ABEOKUTA: The Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library OOPL was reportedly invaded in the early hours of Sunday morning by a large group of armed men claiming to be from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC.
The incident, which occurred around 2 a.m., has been described by OOPL management as a “Gestapo-like” operation that caused panic and led to injuries.
According a press statement from the OOPL management, the invasion was carried out by over 50 armed men who allegedly fired guns and threatened to harm people.
The operation was said to be led by an individual identified only as “Olapade.” The resulting chaos and near-stampede left several event attendees with serious injuries.
When the OOPL’s Managing Director, Vitalis Ortese, inquired about the operation by phone, “Olapade” reportedly claimed the team was acting on an intelligence tip regarding a private event at the complex’ amusement facility.
He also told management that the police had been informed of the operation.
However, the OOPL statement contradicts this claim.
According to the release, both the police officers stationed at the library and additional officers from the Kemta Police Station confirmed they had not been notified of any planned EFCC operation. The armed men also reportedly failed to present any warrant.
When confronted by OOPL security and police, they simply stated, “We are doing our job.”
The OOPL management has condemned the incident as a “clear case of invasion of private property” and a “blatant violation of the rights of the people who so gathered for the event.”
The organization has launched an investigation and plans to escalate the matter to the highest authorities, including the EFCC, police, and the Department of State Security DSS.
In the meantime, the OOPL management is demanding a full explanation and an apology from the EFCC for the infringement of its rights, the distress caused to attendees, and the injuries sustained.
The statement warns that if an apology is not issued, the management will be “compelled to seek redress and sanctions as appropriate.”
