EFCC detains ‘internet fraudster’ for ‘killing operative’ in Anambra

A suspected internet fraudster, who allegedly killed an operative of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) during an arrest operation in Anambra, has been detained, TheCable reports.

An official of the anti-graft agency told TheCable that the suspect opened fire on the EFCC operatives during an operation on Friday, killing an operative in the process and injuring another.

The source said the slain officer was buried in Sokoto on Saturday, adding that the suspect is being detained at the EFCC’s zonal headquarters in Enugu state.

“The incident was a very unfortunate one; the dead officer has been buried today in Sokoto; the incident shows the dimension that internet fraud is taking,” he said.

“The guy (suspect) has also been detained at our office in Enugu today.”

When TheCable reached out to Dele Oyewale, the EFCC spokesperson, for comment, messages sent to his WhatsApp were delivered, but he did not respond to calls put through to his mobile phone.

POLICE CONFIRM ATTACK ON EFCC OPERATIVES

Tochukwu Ikenga, the police spokesperson in Anambra, confirmed to TheCable that a suspect attacked EFCC operatives, resulting in one death and a serious injury to another official.

Ikenga said the command responded to a distress call on Friday, arrested an unnamed suspect, and recovered a pump-action gun in the Ifite area of the state.

“Anambra police operatives in the early hours of 17/1/2025 responded to a distress call at No. 1 Ekwutife Close, Ifite, and arrested one suspect and recovered one pump-action gun, where operatives of the Economic Financial Crime Commission Operatives on investigation activities were attacked by a suspect, which resulted in the death of one and serious injury to another of the operatives,” the police spokesperson said.

He added that police have commenced an investigation into the incident, adding that further developments will be communicated.