“We Were Naked, EFCC Operatives Touched Our Bodies” – Women Allege Harassment During Ilorin Raid

Women in Ilorin have accused EFCC operatives of invading their bedrooms, touching them without consent and damaging their belongings during an early-morning raid that reportedly left several residents traumatised.

Women residing at Agric Estate in Ilorin, Kwara State, have accused operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of molestation, harassment and destruction of property during an early-morning raid on their apartments.

The residents alleged that the operatives forced their way into rooms occupied by female residents, including women who were asleep and naked or inadequately dressed, before profiling them as suspected internet fraudsters.

According to accounts obtained by SaharaReporters, the incident left several women traumatised, with residents questioning the manner in which the operation was conducted and alleging that their privacy, dignity and personal safety were disregarded.

One of the women said the operatives damaged their belongings and forcefully entered their apartments despite knowing that the rooms were occupied by females.

“They damaged all of our properties during the raid. They knocked on the door, and they knew these rooms are for females. They still entered. They burgled their way in and started harassing us,” she told SaharaReporters.

She expressed concern that young women were increasingly becoming vulnerable during such enforcement operations, alleging that the operatives showed little regard for their dignity.

“What they were telling us now is that even us young ladies are no longer safe. We all know it is the guys they always go after, but now, these people do not care again. They did not consider our dignity,” she said.

The resident further explained that some of the women were asleep and had not dressed when the operatives allegedly entered their rooms.

“Most of us sleep naked, and these people still entered and started harassing us and profiling us as ‘Yahoo Yahoo,’” she added.

Another female resident described her experience during the operation, alleging that EFCC operatives touched her body while she was completely naked.

“For me, I was naked. I was not wearing anything, and these EFCC operatives entered and started molesting us in disguise of effecting an arrest. They started touching our bodies,” she told SaharaReporters.

The allegations have raised concerns about the conduct of law enforcement personnel during raids on private residences, particularly regarding the treatment of women and other occupants who may be asleep or undressed when such operations are carried out.

The residents also alleged that the operatives subjected those arrested to physical assault and damaged personal belongings during the exercise.

SaharaReporters learnt that no fewer than 20 people, including women, were arrested during the operation at Agric Estate.

According to the publication, 18 of those arrested were subsequently released after the commission reportedly found nothing suspicious against them, while two others were detained overnight.

The residents, however, maintained that the release of the 18 individuals did not erase the humiliation and distress they allegedly suffered during the operation.

EFCC’s Lagos Raid Also Sparks Controversy

The Ilorin incident comes amid renewed public scrutiny of EFCC enforcement operations following another raid at Applewood Estate, Orchid Road, Lekki, Lagos State, where the commission arrested 21 suspected cybercrime fraudsters and seized five exotic vehicles.

In a statement published on its official X account, the EFCC said operatives from its Lagos Directorate 1 carried out the operation around 5am on Monday, October 26, 2026.

The commission alleged that the suspects obtained money from unsuspecting victims through gift cards, cryptocurrencies and international money transfers while impersonating other individuals.

It said preliminary investigations implicated 19 of the 21 suspects, while the remaining two had been released.

According to the commission, the 19 suspects would be arraigned in court.

However, the Lagos operation also generated controversy after a video circulated online showing EFCC personnel confronting and assaulting a young man during the exercise.

SaharaReporters said it could not independently establish the circumstances surrounding the incident or verify the identities of those captured in the footage.

The EFCC, however, denied allegations of harassment, intimidation and unlawful arrests during the operation.

The commission maintained that the arrests followed what it described as diligent pre-arrest surveillance and reconnaissance of the suspects’ activities.

It also disclosed that a young woman who allegedly attempted to alert the suspects through telephone calls was held during the operation, with her phone temporarily confiscated until the exercise ended.

The agency said the phone was subsequently returned to her.

Insisting that the operation was professionally conducted, the EFCC maintained that there was no record of harassment, intimidation or unlawful arrest.

It urged Nigerians to support its efforts to combat economic and financial crimes, warning against what it described as attempts by blackmailers and alarmists to undermine its mandate.

Nigerians Demand Transparency Over EFCC Operations

The developments have continued to generate reactions on social media, with some Nigerians questioning the conduct and frequency of EFCC raids and calling for greater accountability in the commission’s enforcement activities.

One user, identified as @flakeslapucci, advised people who encounter similar operations against resisting arrest, while also making comments about avoiding exposure of electronic devices that could implicate them.

Another user, @ImoAkpan99275, questioned claims that the Orchid Road area had experienced six raids within two months, arguing that the reported frequency of the operations warranted an explanation from the authorities.

“Six times in two months? People deserve answers and transparency. If these raids are happening that frequently, the authorities should clarify what’s going on and ensure the law is followed,” the user wrote.

A third user, @Mayour05, expressed frustration over unemployment and economic hardship, contrasting the difficulties faced by ordinary Nigerians seeking employment with the resources allegedly available to some political figures.

However, SaharaReporters said it could not independently verify claims that Orchid Road had been raided six times in two months or four times within two years.

Meanwhile, the publication disclosed that it contacted EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale on Wednesday morning to obtain the commission’s response to the allegations of molestation levelled against its operatives by a female resident of Agric Estate, Ilorin.

Oyewale had yet to respond to the enquiries as of the time of filing the report.