A fatal shooting occurred in Anambra on Friday, as armed internet fraudsters opened fire on a team of anti-corruption operatives targeting a group of suspected cybercriminals. The operatives, from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), were conducting a raid to apprehend a group of individuals widely referred to as “Yahoo Boys” when the attack unfolded.
One officer was killed instantly, while another sustained severe injuries and was hospitalized in critical condition, according to reports from The Gazette.
The team had traveled to Anambra from their zonal headquarters in Enugu to carry out the operation.
A male suspect has been arrested in connection with the officer’s death, though his identity has not been revealed. It remains unclear whether he has obtained legal representation.
A spokesperson for the EFCC confirmed that they were looking into the matter when contacted according to Gazette. A police spokesperson in Anambra has yet to issue a statement.
The violent incident comes at a time when EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede is reassessing the agency’s approach to confronting white-collar criminals. Previously, Yahoo Boys were often seen as unarmed, making them easier to apprehend. However, this attack signals a shift in the potential danger posed by such criminals.
The officer who was killed was an assistant superintendent who had recently passed a promotional exam. His identity has been withheld out of respect for his family, who has yet to be officially notified.
More Read
The tragic event has raised concerns within the agency, with some operatives expressing frustration over the lack of adequate personnel insurance. One officer, who spoke anonymously, noted that the agency’s insurance policy for officers had been inactive for years.
“There is no longer any life insurance for us,” the officer revealed. “The last time an officer’s family was compensated after a death in the line of duty was during Farida Waziri’s tenure.”
