EFCC confirms killing of officer in Anambra, says personnel were on legitimate duty

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has confirmed the killing of Aminu Salisu, an assistant superintendent officer (ASO), in Anambra.

Salisu was allegedly killed by Joshua Ikechukwu, a suspected internet fraudster, during an arrest operation in Anambra on Friday.

In a statement on Sunday, Dele Oyewale, the EFCC spokesperson, said the late officer was killed while discharging a legitimate duty.

Oyewale said the suspect, who spotted investigators via closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras mounted at his doorstep, refused to open his door despite their “polite request for entrance.”

“Aminu Sahabi Salisu, assistant superintendent of the EFCC, 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 statement said.

“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, Joshua 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 EFCC spokesperson said preliminary investigations showed that Ikechukwu was involved in coding and online medical supplies of doubtful legitimacy.

He said two laptops, iPads, and several recording devices were recovered from his apartment, adding that though currently in police custody, the commission would bring him to trial.

Oyewale said the commission “viewed with concern irresponsible narratives on the fatal accident and faceless commentators supporting an alleged criminal”.

He added that the anti-graft agency also commiserated with the family of the slain officer and appreciated support from sister agencies and well-meaning individuals.

“It is heinous to reduce the death of a gallant officer who was carrying out patriotic and official duties to social media razzmatazz,” he said.

“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.

“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 and are 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.”