The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has been plunged into mourning following the murder of its officer, Assistant Superintendent of the EFCC, ASE11 Aminu Sahabi Salisu, who was allegedly killed while on legitimate duty on January 17, 2025, by a suspected internet fraudster, identified as Mr Joshua Chukwubueze Ikechukwu.
The EFCC spokesman, Dele Oyewale, while disclosing how the late operative was murdered, added that the Commission viewed with great concern the irresponsible narratives being circulated on social media on the whys and wherefores of the fatal accident.
Oyewale 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.
“Salisu, along with other EFCC investigators, was at Dr J.O. Ukwutinife Close, Ifite, Awka, Anambra State, in the early hours of January 17 to arrest some suspected internet fraudsters.
“In line with operational protocols, the operation was duly documented at the Anambra State Command Headquarters and Area Command of the Nigeria Police.
“The operation was initially smooth sailing with 37 suspected internet fraudsters already arrested at a two-storey building housing Ikechukwu and other house occupants.
“However, Ikechukwu, who sighted the investigators through a CCTV Camera mounted at his doorpost and confessed to 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. He killed Salisu in the process and wounded another officer detailed to search for 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 image manager said that the EFCC also wished to alert members of the public that the activities of internet fraudsters were becoming patently hazardous to public safety and security.
He disclosed that Intelligence has shown that these criminals are now carrying arms, and 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’” said Oyewale.
He stressed that every subsequent attack on any of its officers will be met with the force of the law.
He noted that the Commission will not fold its arms and allow any of its officers to be killed again in cold blood.
His words: “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.”
