EFCC fumes over callous narratives around its murdered official in Akwa, presents real story 

Contrary to speculations on the social media, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has insisted that one Joshua Chukwubueze Ikechukwu who shot its operative identified as Assistant Superintendent Aminu Sahabi Salisu dead during an operation on January 17, 2025 in Awka, Anambra State was an internet fraudster.

The anti-graft agency in a statement by its spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, on Sunday evening also insisted that Salihu was on a legitimate duty before he was shot dead by the alleged internet fraudster.

EFCC issued the statement in response to what it described as “irresponsible, callous, inhuman and outrageous narratives being circulated on social media on the whys and wherefores of the fatal accident.”

Contrary to speculations on the social media, the EFCC said its preliminary investigations revealed that Ikechukwu was involved in ‘coding and online medical supplies of doubtful legitimacy’.

It added that 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,” EFCC said.

“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.

Giving further insight into the operation that led to the death of the operative, EFCC in the statement said, “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.

R
“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.

The anti- graft agency further alerted that the killing of the officer was an example of the dangerous dimension activities of internet fraudsters are taking in the country.

“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”.

EFCC however vowed that it will not fold its hands and allow any of its officer to be killed in cold blood again in the country.

“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.”

Aminu Salisu