EFCC officer killed during operation in Anambra

EFCC officer killed during operation in Anambra

By Jeffrey Agbo

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has confirmed the killing of Aminu Salisu, an Assistant Superintendent Officer (ASO), in Awka, Anambra State, during an operation to apprehend suspected internet fraudsters.

According to a statement on Sunday by Dele Oyewale, the EFCC spokesperson, Salisu was fatally shot by a suspect, Joshua Ikechukwu, while carrying out a legitimate arrest operation last Friday.

The statement detailed that Salisu, along with other EFCC investigators, visited Dr. J.O. Ukwutinife Close, Ifite, Awka, in the early hours of January 17 to arrest suspected internet fraudsters. The operation was officially documented with the Nigeria police at the state command headquarters and area command.

During the operation, 37 suspects were arrested from the targeted two-storey building. However, Ikechukwu, who monitored the investigators through a closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera, refused to open his door despite their requests.

“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,” Oyewale said.

Preliminary investigations revealed that Ikechukwu was involved in coding and suspicious online medical supplies. Two laptops, iPads and several recording devices were recovered from his apartment. The suspect is currently in police custody and will face trial, the EFCC confirmed.

The agency condemned narratives on social media defending Ikechukwu’s actions. Oyewale criticised the support for the suspect, stressing, “There is no justification whatsoever to rationalise a murderous act.”

He also warned that internet fraudsters are increasingly involved in other dangerous criminal activities including armed attacks, kidnapping and ritual killings.

The EFCC expressed condolences to Salisu’s family and vowed to prevent such incidents in the future, stating that any attacks on its personnel would be met with the full force of the law.