The management of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) has accused operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of storming its premises in the early hours of Sunday in what it described as a “Gestapo-like” operation that left several people injured.

“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 organisation said in a statement. “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.”

According to the statement, the leader of the group told OOPL’s Managing Director, Mr. Vitalis Ortese, over the phone that the operation was based on intelligence about a private event taking place at the complex’s amusement facility. “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,” the statement added.

OOPL noted that the event in question was “a private event that had been widely advertised to members of the public for days prior.”

It further alleged that security personnel at the premises were unaware of the EFCC operation. “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,” the statement said. “And when the armed men were accosted by OOPL security and assisting police officers, they simply retorted, ‘We are doing our job.’”

Condemning the incident, the management stated: “This action by the EFCC is a clear case of invasion of private property, infringement of OOPL rights as corporate citizens, and indeed a stark and blatant violation of the rights of the people who so gathered for the event.”

OOPL said it had “commenced its investigations of the invasion and will take up the matter with the highest authorities, including the EFCC, the police, and the Department of State Security.”

The statement concluded with a demand for an official apology: “In the meantime, management demands an explanation of these impudent actions 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.” (AriseNews TV, excluding headline)