A tragic confrontation in Anambra State on Friday resulted in the death of an EFCC officer and left another critically injured after armed internet fraudsters, known as “Yahoo Boys,” opened fire on anti-graft operatives.
The officers, part of an anti-corruption mission from the EFCC’s Enugu zonal office, were targeting a group of suspected cybercriminals when they came under gunfire.
One officer was killed instantly, while the other sustained severe injuries and remains hospitalized in critical condition.
The attack, which occurred in the early hours of Friday, led to the arrest of one male suspect, though his identity has not been disclosed.
The suspect has not yet confirmed whether he has legal representation.
A spokesman for the EFCC was contacted by The Gazette but had not provided further comment at the time of reporting.
Additionally, Anambra State Police declined to comment on the incident.
The deadly assault comes as EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede was revising the agency’s tactics for confronting white-collar crime, including cybercrimes.
Yahoo Boys, who were previously believed to be largely unarmed, now appear to pose a more direct threat to operatives, highlighting increasing risks in anti-graft operations.
The officer who was killed, an Assistant Superintendent, had recently passed a promotional exam.
His identity has been withheld to allow for the official notification of his family.
Internally, the tragic event has raised concerns among anti-graft agents, with some officers expressing frustration over the lack of adequate insurance and compensation for families of fallen officers.
One anonymous officer lamented, “We no longer have life insurance… the last time families received compensation was under Farida Waziri. So can we say he died for nothing?”
