•••We Demand Apology for Invasion of Private Property and Rights Violation – OOPL
•••We Arrested Fraudsters -EFCC
By Attah Ede
Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC), in the early hours of Sunday, raided the Green Legacy Hotel, located within the premises of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta, Ogun State, and apprehended 93 people suspected to be internet fraudsters during a pool party.
It was gathered that EFCC operatives carried out this operation just five days after operatives of the Ibadan Zonal Directorate of the commission arrested a suspected internet fraudster with two locally-made pistols in a raid at K-Hotel in Itori, Ewekoro area of the state.
The suspect, according to the anti-graft agency, was among the 55 others arrested during the agency’s similar clearance operation last Wednesday.
A viral video of the Sunday raid at the Obasanjo Library showed youths scampering for safety as the sound of gunshots filled the air.
Sources said the operation was carried out by the EFCC operatives from the Lagos Directorate following intelligence on the activities of fraudsters in the area.
When contacted, the Managing Director of OOPL Ventures, Vitalis Ortese, confirmed the incident.
A statement from the Management of OOPL condemned the raid describing it as “a clear case of invasion of
private property, infringement of OOPL rights as corporate ciCzens, and indeed a stark and blatant violation of the rights of the people who so gathered for the event.”
The OOPL management stated that it would take up the issue with the top leadership of the EFCC, the police, the Department of State Services and other authorities.
The management further demanded apology from the EFCC over what it described as the infringement of the rights of those at the event and those injured in the operation
The full statement:
“This morning, at about 2 am, the OOPL premises were invaded by a Gestapo-like gang of over 50 armed men, shooting guns, threatening to kill people, and purporting to be from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
“The invasion, led by one “Olapade” caused serious panic and chaos, leading to serious injuries among participants trying to escape the shooting and near carnage that resulted, and causing terror among residents on the site.
“On inquiry by phone, the “Olapade” informed the Managing Director of the OOPL establishment, Mr. Vitalis Ortese, that they were acting on an intelligence tip about a
private event in the amusement facility of the complex.
“They also informed management that the police have been duly informed of the operation. It should be noted that the event was a private event that had been widely
advertised to members of the public for days prior.
“It should also be noted that both the police officers stationed at the OOPL gates and the additional police sent from the Kemta Police station, as requested by the organizers of the event and management, stated that they were NOT informed of any
planned operation by the EFCC, and neither did they present any warrant. And whenthe armed men were accosted by OOPL security and assisting police officers, they
simply retorted, “We are doing our job”
.
“Management wishes to state that this action by the EFCC is a clear case of invasion of private property, infringement of OOPL rights as corporate ciCzens, and indeed a
stark and blatant violaCon of the rights of the people who so gathered for the event.
“Management has commenced its investigation of the invasion and will take up the matter with the highest authorities, including the EFCC, the police, and the Department of State Security.
“In the meantime, management demands an explanation of these impudent action from the Commission and an apology from the EFCC authorities for the infringement
of its rights, to all those who gathered, and those who sustained serious injuries from the gangster like induced chaos.
“Failure for which the management will be compelled
to seek redress and sanctions as appropriate.”
But the EFCC in a statement on Sunday said it arrested 93 suspected internet fraudsters in Abeokuta on Sunday.
The Head of Media and Publicity of the Commission, Mr Dele Oyewale said that the suspected fraudsters were arrested during a sting operation on Sunday.
“Operatives of the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested 93 suspected internet fraudsters in Ogun State.
“They were arrested on Sunday, August 10, 2025 in a sting operation in Abeokuta, Ogun State, following credible intelligence about their suspected involvement in internet crimes.
“Upon their arrest, 18 vehicles and mobile devices were recovered from them.
“They will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.”
