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.”
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