Salisu, an operative of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), who was shot dead by suspected fraudsters, commonly known as “Yahoo boys” in the Awka area of Anambra State has been flown to Sokoto State for burial.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Olufemi Oluyede, reportedly visited Awka, the Anambra State capital, to arrange for the transportation of the EFCC operative to Sokoto State for burial according to Islamic rites.
Speaking with SaharaReporters on Saturday, a top source revealed, “When the EFCC operatives arrested the first set of suspected “yahoo boys” the police in Awka waylaid the operatives and delayed them, claiming they did not seek permission before coming to their jurisdiction to carry out such operation.
“The attack and killing of the EFCC operative happened around 4am on Friday. The EFCC operative is being flown to Sokoto for burial according to Islamic rites.”
“The Chief of Army staff reportedly visited Awka to arrange for transportation of his body and pressure the Nigerian police to act,” SaharaReporters was told.
SaharaReporters had reported that the officers were on a mission to apprehend a group of suspected cybercriminals when they were attacked on Friday morning.
SaharaReporters had gathered that a contingent of EFCC officials were assigned from the EFCC Enugu Zonal command to apprehend suspected internet fraudsters in Awka, Anambra State.
“They arrived Awka very early to the first home of suspected fraudsters, successfully raided and arrested several persons with exhibits, including credit cards and four luxurious vehicles,” a top source had informed SaharaReporters on Saturday.
“They then set out to visit another location but reportedly found that they were short-staffed and relocated to a smaller location.
“Upon arriving there, it was a location with several apartments. So they told the gatemen to point them to the place of the person they suspected.
“He refused to open his door, apparently suspecting they might be robbers or kidnappers.
“The person of interest refused to open his door asking who they were to which they responded they were EFCC operatives.”
SaharaReporters had learnt that when the suspect refused to open the door, on the claim that the operatives might be robbers or kidnappers.
“The EFCC team proceeded to break into his apartment and the suspect opened fire on the lead person; an EFCC operative known as Salisu.
“He was seriously injured, but still alive with a second operative injured in his left hand. The operatives rushed the operative to a hospital. They arrived at the General Hospital in Awka but there were no doctors. Only two hospital nurses were around who advised them to look for a private hospital,” the top source had narrated further.
The EFCC operatives then drove to a hospital named Amaco where the doctor on duty confirmed the EFCC operative dead.
However, he admitted the injured EFCC perative but said there was no way to treat him without blood transfusion.
“All the EFCC operatives dispatched to the night operation had no bulletproof vest just their branded EFCC jackets,” SaharaReporters was told.
Confirming the incident, the Anambra State Police Command spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, had stated that investigations were underway.
“Investigation into the sad incident is ongoing. The suspect is in custody, and the firearm has been recovered. Further details shall be communicated, please,” Ikenga said.
