The EFCC Raid on Goodwill Private Schools: A Violation of Children’s Rights or Lawful Enforcement?
Introduction
A school should be a sanctuary. a place where children FEEL safe, supported, and nurtured. However, on February 27 and 28, 2025, this fundamental expectation was shattered at Goodwill Private Schools, Ikorodu, Lagos State. Armed operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) stormed the school premises, allegedly brandishing guns and ordering students and teachers to vacate immediately.
The Events Unfolded:
Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos and terror. The students, some in primary classes were seen fleeing in panic, teachers being threatened, and a senior student collapsing and vomiting due to shock before being rushed to the hospital.
The school’s Vice Principal, Olalekan Adewale, recounted how EFCC operatives, allegedly armed “to the teeth,” demanded he sign a document regarding the school’s forfeiture. When he refused, they allegedly pointed a gun at him and seized his phone when he attempted to record the incident. Despite the school management’s insistence that they had no prior knowledge of the EFCC’s forfeiture order, officers reportedly forced students out, refusing to allow them to retrieve their belongings.
The EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, defended the agency’s actions, stating that the property was under investigation and that the school should not have been operational. He further justified the presence of armed officers, saying, “When you are going for any law enforcement operation, you have to be armed.”
But the question remains, was the EFCC’s approach necessary? And what does global best practice dictate in such situations?
Legal and Ethical Considerations:
1. Did the EFCC Follow Due Process?
While law enforcement agencies have the authority to execute court orders, international legal norms require that such operations be conducted with minimal disruption to children especially.
- The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), to which Nigeria is a signatory, emphasizes that children’s best interests must be the primary consideration in all actions concerning them at all times.
- The African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child further mandates that children be protected from harm, including psychological trauma.
If the EFCC had obtained a final forfeiture order in January 2025, why was the school management not given official notice well in advance? Could they not have executed this process in a way that did not traumatize the precious children?
2. The Use of Armed Officers in Schools From a Global Perspective
Globally, law enforcement agencies follow specific protocols when dealing with institutions of learning.
- United States: The U.S. Department of Justice recommends that any law enforcement action in schools must prioritize de-escalation. Even in cases of criminal investigations, school resource officers are trained to engage non-violently with students.
- United Kingdom: In the UK, police officers entering schools must coordinate with school administrators and child protection services to ensure minimal disruption. The presence of armed officers in a school setting is an extreme measure, used only in active shooter situations.
- South Africa: The South African Police Service requires law enforcement personnel to work alongside the Department of Education before any intervention that might affect students.
By contrast, the EFCC’s handling of the present case by storming a school unannounced, armed, and forcibly evacuating children completely runs contrary to these global best practices.
The Psychological Impact on Children
Studies show that children exposed to traumatic events, such as sudden forced evacuations or the sight of armed officers in school settings, may experience:
- Increased anxiety and stress: Research by UNICEF indicates that exposure to violence whether direct or indirect affects cognitive and emotional development.
- Decline in academic performance: Research has found that students exposed to traumatic incidents in school environments exhibit reduced concentration levels, leading to poor academic outcomes.
- Trust issues with authority figures: When law enforcement agencies act aggressively, children may develop a fear of authorities rather than seeing them as protectors.
As Dr. Elaine King from UNICEF puts it, “Schools should be warm, caring, nurturing places where students feel supported and protected.” Anything less jeopardizes their well-being.
How Could This Situation Have Been Handled Differently?
If the EFCC was acting on a lawful forfeiture order, there were several alternative ways to execute the operation:
- Advance Notice to the School: The management should have been formally informed beforehand, allowing time for an orderly transition without disrupting students.
- Involvement of the Ministry of Education: Authorities should have engaged the Lagos State Ministry of Education to ensure the safety of students and make alternative arrangements for their education.
- Deployment of Unarmed Officers: Given that the school was not a high-risk environment, plainclothes officers could have handled the situation without intimidating students.
- Child Safeguarding and Protection Measures: The Authorities ought to have employed Child Safeguarding and Protection measures and process that prioritizes the best interest of the children.
Conclusion:
The EFCC’s actions at Goodwill Private Schools raise fundamental concerns about the balance between law enforcement and Child Safeguarding and Protection. While the agency has a mandate to investigate and recover assets, this must be done without violating well-being and rights of the children.
Children should never have to experience the trauma of armed raids in their place of learning. Instead, a more humane, legally sound, and globally aligned approach should be adopted to protect both the rule of law and the well-being of the the children.
