Hundreds of youths took to the streets of Benin City on Tuesday, defying heavy rainfall to protest what they described as harassment and intimidation by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The protesters, many of whom are suspected to be internet fraudsters commonly known as "Yahoo Yahoo boys," expressed anger over alleged midnight raids on their residences by EFCC officials from the Benin Zonal Office.

Armed with placards bearing various inscriptions, the demonstrators blocked the busy Ugbowo-Lagos road for several hours, causing significant traffic congestion in the area. The youths specifically complained about EFCC operatives allegedly breaking into students' hostels around 2 a.m. and indiscriminately arresting occupants.

"We are angry because of EFCC harassment. They go to students' hostels at midnight, arrest everyone and tag them as internet fraudsters. This must stop. We call on Governor Monday Okpebholo and President Bola Tinubu to call them to order," the protesters stated.

During the protest, tensions escalated when the youths reportedly attacked and vandalized a vehicle belonging to the Edo State Security Corps (ESSC) at the Isihor axis of the road.

In response to the demonstration, the EFCC has heightened security around its Benin Zonal Office located at High Court Road in Benin City. Operatives were observed setting up a checkpoint on the road leading to the office, subjecting motorists to thorough screening to prevent potential attacks.

Attempts to get comments from William Oseghale, the spokesman for the Benin Zonal Command of the EFCC, were unsuccessful as calls to his mobile phone went unanswered.

This protest comes amid growing concerns about the methods employed by anti-graft agencies in their operations against suspected internet fraudsters, with critics arguing that innocent citizens are sometimes caught in the dragnet during such raids.