The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has expressed profound grief over the death of one of its officers, Assistant Superintendent Aminu Sahabi Harisu, who was fatally shot on January 17, 2025, while performing official duties. The attack, allegedly perpetrated by a suspected internet fraudster, Joshua Chukwubueze Ikechukwu, occurred in Ifite, Awka, Anambra State.
In a statement, the EFCC condemned what it described as “irresponsible and inhuman narratives” circulating on social media regarding the circumstances surrounding the tragic incident. The Commission decried attempts to trivialize the death of a dedicated officer and labeled such actions as “outrageous and heinous.”
The EFCC further criticized individuals defending the alleged assailant, emphasizing that there is no justification for such a violent act. It urged the public to refrain from spreading falsehoods that could undermine the memory of the slain officer and the Commission’s efforts to fight corruption.
According to the EFCC, Harisu and other investigators had arrived at Dr. J.O. Ukwutinife Close in Awka to apprehend suspected internet fraudsters. The operation, duly recorded at the Anambra State Police Command and in compliance with protocol, initially resulted in the arrest of 37 suspects. However, Ikechukwu, who monitored the investigators through a CCTV camera, allegedly refused to cooperate and opened fire, killing Harisu and injuring another officer.
The Commission warned of the increasing danger posed by internet fraudsters, citing intelligence linking them to crimes such as kidnapping, ritual killings, and banditry. It called on the public to recognize the evolving threats posed by these individuals, dismissing the perception of them as mere “Yahoo boys and girls.”
