The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has expressed grief over the loss of one of its officers, Assistant Superintendent Aminu Sahabi Salisu, who was killed in cold blood while on legitimate duty on January 17, 2025, by a suspected internet fraudster, Joshua Chukwubueze Ikechukwu.

In a statement, the Head, Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, said the anti-graft agency views with great concern the irresponsible, callous, inhuman, and outrageous narratives being circulated on social media regarding the reasons for and circumstances surrounding the fatal incident.

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

He described as worrisome the fact that some faceless commentators are siding with an alleged criminal who unleashed terror on EFCC officers in their line of duty.

He said there is no justification whatsoever for rationalising a murderous act, adding that the milk of human kindness demands that a grieving family, commission, and nation should be spared the shenanigans of false narratives and conjectures surrounding the death of the slain officer.

He 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.

Oyewale 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, Ikechukwu, who sighted the investigators through a CCTV camera mounted at his doorpost and who also confessed to having seen them, declined to open his door for the investigators who politely demanded entrance to his apartment. Defying all the introductions and physical sightings of the investigators, he resorted to firing shots at them and killed Salisu in the process, wounding another officer detailed to conduct a search in his apartment,” he said.

According to the EFCC spokesperson, 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, and his involvement in internet fraud is already established.

He said Ikechukwu is currently in police custody owing to the murderous nature of his case, adding that the commission will surely bring him to trial.

“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,'” he said.

He vowed that any subsequent attack on EFCC officers would 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,” Oyewale added.