A tragic turn of events unfolded in Anambra State on Friday when armed internet fraudsters, commonly known as Yahoo Boys, fatally shot an Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) officer during an operation gone wrong. The deadly encounter occurred when EFCC operatives from the Enugu zonal office attempted to apprehend a group of suspected cybercriminals.
Instead of the typically non-violent arrests associated with such operations, the team was met with gunfire. One assistant superintendent, who had recently completed his promotional examination, was killed instantly, while another officer suffered severe injuries and remains in critical condition at a local hospital.
Law enforcement has managed to arrest one male suspect in connection with the murder, though authorities have yet to release his identity or confirm whether he has obtained legal representation. The incident marks a disturbing escalation in the tactics employed by cybercrime suspects, who have historically been considered unarmed and relatively easy to apprehend.
This comes at a time when EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede has been working to revise the agency’s protocols for raiding white-collar criminals. Adding to the tragedy, EFCC agents speaking anonymously revealed a concerning detail about the agency’s welfare policies.
According to these officers, the commission’s personnel insurance scheme has been defunct for years, with the last death-in-service compensation paid out during Farida Waziri’s tenure as chairperson.
“We no longer have life insurance,” lamented one officer, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Another added poignantly, “The families of the officer that died today won’t be getting anything. So can we say he died for nothing?”
The EFCC spokesperson has promised to look into the incident, while Anambra police authorities have yet to comment on the matter. The identity of the fallen officer is being withheld pending official notification of his family.
This deadly confrontation underscores the evolving nature of cybercrime in Nigeria, where previously non-violent fraudsters are now resorting to deadly force to evade arrest. It also raises serious questions about the safety protocols and welfare provisions for EFCC officers who risk their lives in the line of duty.
