In a tragic turn of events, an operative of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was fatally shot, and another critically injured, during an operation targeting suspected internet fraudsters in Anambra State.
The attack, allegedly carried out by suspected “Yahoo Boys,” has not only shaken the anti-graft community but also spotlighted a troubling lapse in the agency’s welfare system.
“We no longer have life insurance. The last time families of deceased officers received compensation was during Farida Waziri’s tenure,” an EFCC official lamented, highlighting years of neglect in safeguarding the lives of operatives tasked with high-risk missions.
The ambushed officers, deployed from the Enugu zonal headquarters, were pursuing a group of cybercrime suspects when they came under heavy gunfire. The deceased, an assistant superintendent, had only recently passed a promotional examination, making the loss even more poignant.
While a male suspect has been arrested in connection with the attack, authorities remain tight-lipped about his identity and whether he has secured legal counsel.
The critically injured officer is currently receiving treatment, while questions about the agency’s preparedness and commitment to staff welfare loom large.
This incident reignites conversations about the cost of combating cybercrime in Nigeria, with operatives risking their lives in the line of duty without adequate institutional support.