The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has refuted claims that its operatives was killed while scaling the fence of a suspected internet fraudster.
The EFCC, in a statement signed by Dele Oyewale, Head, Media & Publicity of the commission on Sunday, described as false the narrative widely spread on social media about the incident that resulted in the death of its personnel.
Chronicle NG reports that a suspected internet fraudster, Joshua Chukwubueze Ikechukwu, shot and killed an operative of the EFCC, Aminu Sahabi Salisu, during a raid carried out by its operatives in Awka, Anambra state, on Friday, January 17, 2023.
While many quarters allege that Salisu was shot dead at about 3 AM while scaling the fence of the suspect, the EFCC, in its statement on Sunday, denied the claims, saying the EFCC operatives carried out their legitimate duty properly.
They mentioned that, contrary to the narrative making the rounds on social media, Ikechukwu opened fire on the operatives who were standing at his door.
Reacting to the ”false” narrative, the EFCC said, ”The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, expresses grief on the loss of one of its officers, Assistant Superintendent of the EFCC, ASE11 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, was 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, and 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 ridding 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.”
