Armed EFCC Operatives Raid Lagos School, Forcing Out Students Amid Legal Dispute

Shocking EFCC Raid on Goodwill Private Schools Sparks Outrage

A wave of fear and confusion gripped Goodwill Private Schools in Ikorodu, Lagos, as heavily armed operatives from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) stormed the premises in a dramatic raid. The unannounced operation saw EFCC officers forcibly ejecting students and staff, wielding firearms in a manner more befitting a high-stakes criminal sting than a schoolyard intervention.

Eyewitnesses Recall a Scene of Chaos

Vice Principal Olalekan Adewale described the encounter as terrifying, likening it to an armed invasion. “They arrived as if they were going to war,” he stated, recalling how at least seven armed operatives marched into the school, disrupting lessons without explanation. Teachers, students, and administrators were ordered out of their classrooms abruptly, with no opportunity to collect personal belongings.

The shock of the operation left many students in distress. One young girl, overwhelmed by fear, collapsed and began vomiting uncontrollably. She had to be rushed to the hospital, underscoring the psychological toll of the sudden raid.

Goodwill Private Schools’ proprietor, Pastor Sunday Enikuomeyin, did not mince words in criticizing the EFCC’s conduct. He denounced the operation as an act of intimidation and undue force against innocent students and educators.

During the raid, officers reportedly declared, “This school now belongs to the EFCC,” while attempting to coerce the vice principal into signing documents under duress. The school’s management, blindsided by the enforcement action, is now calling for accountability over what they deem an excessive display of power.

In response to public outcry, EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale justified the operation, maintaining that it was part of a legally sanctioned investigation. He stated that the property in question was subject to a financial dispute and that the school management was fully aware of the legal proceedings surrounding it.

According to Oyewale, deploying armed operatives is standard procedure to ensure compliance and prevent potential resistance. He dismissed allegations of excessive force, asserting that the EFCC was merely enforcing a court order.

The root of the crisis lies in a financial conflict involving a first-generation bank and an individual named Mrs. Olabisi Victoria Olaiya. Court records indicate that part of the school property was used as collateral for a bank loan.

However, the property’s sale to Mrs. Olaiya—allegedly without a transparent bidding process—triggered legal wrangling. The EFCC obtained an ex parte order authorizing the interim and final forfeiture of the property. School administrators argue they were not given prior notice of these legal proceedings, setting the stage for the confrontation.

The Ikorodu community has reacted with anger and disbelief at the EFCC’s approach, particularly the decision to storm a school in session. Parents and educators are demanding an investigation into the raid, arguing that law enforcement agencies must exercise discretion when carrying out enforcement actions in sensitive environments.

Critics have called for a reassessment of how financial disputes involving educational institutions are handled. “This was unnecessary trauma for the children,” said one concerned parent. “They could have engaged the school legally without resorting to this show of force.”

The EFCC’s actions have ignited debate over how financial laws should be enforced when they intersect with education and vulnerable populations. While the agency insists it acted within the law, the distress inflicted on students and educators raises critical ethical concerns.

Moving forward, legal experts and child welfare advocates argue that enforcement agencies must adopt a more balanced approach—one that upholds financial regulations without compromising the safety and well-being of innocent parties.