A statement by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has received a barrage of backlashes from X Twitter users.
Released by the anti-graft’s agency’s Head of Media and Publicity Dele Oyewale on Sunday, January 19, 2025, in the wake of the dead officer, killed last week while on duty in Awka, capital of Anambra State, the statement (“EFCC Condemns False Narratives on Loss of Officer”) said the deceased had been on a legitimate assignment with colleagues when they came under fire.
The statement read:
“The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, expresses grief on the loss of one of its officers, Assistant Superintendent of the EFCC, ASE II Aminu Sahabi Salisu who was killed in cold blood while on a legitimate duty on January 17, 2025 by a suspected internet fraudster, Joshua Chukwubueze Ikechukwu.
“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.
“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. 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.
“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.”
Reactions trailed the statement issued on X.
One reader added context:
“The EFCC bans Sting Operations at Night in 2023, this year by 3am they badged into a person’s house tagging him an suspected internet fraudster when in reality he is a medical doctor with a licensed firearm.”
Urhobo Water @XOghre wrote:
“Same EFCC banned nocturnal sting operations since 2023. Your men were clearly out on some illegal operations easily seen as armed robbery. Own it and go work on yourselves!!! Armed robbers rob like EFCC.”
“The man actually claims to have shot in self-defence
“saharareporters.com/2025/01/18/exc…
DEMAGOGUE PhD.💘senior advocate @von_Bismack tweeted:
“Preliminary investigations showed that Ikechukwu was involved in coding and online medical supplies of doubtful legitimacy. Two laptops, ipads, several recording devices were recovered from his apartment and his involvement in internet fraud is already established.”
Another tweeted:
“I wish his lawyers will grab this and keep.
“From your write up, immediately you found laptop and iPad, he is automatically a Yahoo boy. This country is beyond pathetic
Dr. Prince Peters @DrPrincePeters4 tweeted:
“Advisable u need to refocus more on our numerous corrupt politicians as their actions are actually affecting our economy negatively. May Allah bless the soul of the deceased EFCC Officer, and grant his family succour at this point.”
Xraay Of AFRICA 🇳🇬🇳🇬 @iam_martins1 said:
“Na for only our body ona dey get power, one certain man made away with billions of naira, till just now we nor hear pim about the matter.. same same one rich family abuse naira till just now too we nor hear pim too, but here we are @officialEFCC …Do me I do you….”
Doncoll @collmea tweeted:
“When did coding become a criminal act? Is owning laptops and ipad against the law?”
#NewNigeria🇳🇬 @Sasky_Mali said:
“First of all, don’t delete the CCTV footage, we need to see it. Secondly can we see an arrest warrant for the individual in question. Thirdly when will your officers start wearing body cam if truly you want to raid in the night, and hope you will always provide body cam footage??”
Karo @Karovoni wrote:
“Why did you put the lives of your field officers at risk by sending them for an operation at night after publicly banning such operation?”
Revolutionary Youth! @torty_mercy said:
“Did your officers break into the house of Yahaya Bello in the “early hours” of the morning to arrest him?
“Una mind no go touch ground!”
