The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has condemned online commentary surrounding the tragic death of one of its officers, Assistant Superintendent Aminu Salisu, who was killed during an operation in Awka, Anambra State, on January 17, 2025.
According to a statement issued on Sunday by EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale, Salisu was fatally shot during a lawful raid on a two-storey building located at Dr. J.O. Ukwutinife Close in the Ifite area of Awka.
The operation, which targeted 37 individuals suspected of engaging in internet fraud, initially proceeded without incident until events escalated.
Oyewale said, “The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, 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.
“Additionally, the Commission views with great concern the irresponsible, callous, inhuman and outrageous narratives being circulated on social media on 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, was 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 sighting them, declined to open his door for the investigators, who politely demanded entrance to his apartment.”
He stated that despite their polite attempts to gain entry, Ikechukwu resorted to pulling the trigger of his gun, killing Salisu and injuring another officer.
Oyewale said, “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 search for his apartment.”
