The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has revealed how a suspected internet fraudster, Joshua Chukwubueze Ikechukwu, killed one of its officers, Assistant Superintendent of the EFCC, ASE II Aminu Sahabi Salisu, and injured another on January 17, 2025.
The anti-graft agency gave a detailed account of the incident in a statement by its Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale.
In the statement on Sunday, Oyewale said the operatives were on a legitimate duty in Awka, the Anambra State capital, when Ikechukwu opened fire on them from behind his house door.
He revealed: “Salisu, alongside other investigators of the EFCC, were at Dr. J.O. Ukwutinife Close, Ifite, Awka, Anambra State, to arrest some suspected internet fraudsters in the early hours of January 17.
“The operation was duly documented at the Anambra State Command Headquarters and Area Command of the Nigeria Police in line with operational protocols.
“The operation was initially smooth sailing with 37 suspected internet fraudsters already arrested at a two-storey building housing Ikechukwu and other occupants of the house.
“However, Ikechukwu, who sighted the investigators through a CCTV Camera mounted at his doorpost and who also confessed sighting them, declined to open his door for the investigators who politely demanded entrance to his apartment.
“Defying all the introduction and physical sighting of the investigators, he resorted to firing shots at them and killed Salisu in the process and wounded another officer detailed to conduct a search in his apartment.
“Preliminary investigations showed that Ikechukwu was involved in coding and online medical supplies of doubtful legitimacy.
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“Two laptops, iPads, several recording devices were recovered from his apartment and his involvement in internet fraud is already established.
“Though currently in police custody owing to the murderous dimension of his case, the Commission will surely bring him to trial.”
Oyewale also expressed surprise about the narratives being circulated on social media on the incident.
He said it was worrisome that some commentators are backing Ikechukwu in the killing of Salisu.
He said: “Additionally, the Commission views with great concern the irresponsible, callous, inhuman and outrageous narratives being circulated on social media on the whys and wherefores of the fatal accident.
“It is heinous to reduce the death of a gallant officer who was carrying out patriotic and official duties to social media razzmatazz.
“More worrisome is the fact that some faceless commentators are pitching their tents with an alleged criminal who unleashed terror on officers of the EFCC in their line of duty.
“There is no justification whatsoever to rationalise a murderous act.
“The milk of human kindness demands that a grieving family, Commission and nation should be spared the shenanigans of false narratives and conjectures on the death of the slain officer.”
The anti-graft agency then told Nigerians that the activities of internet fraudsters was becoming dangerous to public safety and security, adding that from now, any attack on its operatives will not be treated lightly.
Oyewale said: “The EFCC also wishes to alert the public that the activities of internet fraudsters are becoming patently hazardous to public safety and security.
“Intelligence has shown that these criminals are carrying arms, involved in kidnapping, banditry, ritual killings and other deadly acts.
“The public should not fold its arms or allow itself to be deceived that they are mere ‘Yahoo boys and girls’.
“As for the EFCC, every subsequent attack on any of its officers will be met with the force of the law.
“The Commission will not fold its arms and allow any of its officers to be killed again in cold blood.
“As a law enforcement agency of repute, the EFCC is unrelenting in riding the nation of internet fraud and other acts of corruption.
“While mourning the loss of its officer who paid the supreme price in the service of the nation, the Commission appreciates the invaluable support, condolences and prompt response of sister agencies and well-meaning individuals standing shoulder to shoulder with it at this trying time.”
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