EFCC Breaks Silence, Slams False Narrative Surrounding killing of its Officer in Anambra

By our Reporter

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has condemned what it called circulation of false narratives regarding the death of Assistant Superintendent Aminu Sahabi Salisu, who was killed in the line of duty on January 17, 2025.

An official statement released by the commission through its Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, confirmed that Salisu was part of a team that raided a building in Awka, Anambra State, to arrest suspected internet fraudsters.

And that the operation which resulted in the arrest of 37 suspects took a deadly turn when one of the suspects, identified as Joshua Chukwubueze Ikechukwu, opened fire on the officers, killing Salisu and wounding another.

Oyewale expressed concern over the increasing danger posed by internet fraudsters, who are now involved in kidnapping, banditry, ritual killings, and other deadly acts.

The Commission has vowed to take decisive action against these criminals and ensure that those responsible for Salisu’s death are brought to justice.

“EFCC expresses grief on the loss of one of its officers, Assistant Superintendent of the EFCC, ASE11 Aminu Sahabi Salisu, who was killed in cold blood while on a legitimate duty on January 17, 2025, by a suspected internet fraudster, Joshua Chukwubueze Ikechukwu.

“The Commission views with great concern the irresponsible, callous, inhuman, and outrageous narratives being circulated on social media about the whys and wherefores of the fatal accident.

“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, 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 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 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, killing Salisu in the process and wounding another officer detailed to conduct a search in 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 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’.

“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,” he narrated.