EFCC Operative, Halisu Sahabi Killed During Awka Raid, Buried In Sokoto

Halisu Sahabi, an Assistant Superintendent of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), who was killed on Friday by a suspected internet fraudster, during a raid in Awka, Anambra State, has been buried in Sokoto State by his family.

SaharaReporters learnt further from family sources that ASE II Sahabi was planning to get married in the year after the “next fasting season” before his untimely death.

SaharaReporters earlier reported that the Anambra State Police Command on Saturday arrested the suspect, a medical doctor, who attacked the operatives of the EFCC.

The suspect is identified as Chukwuka Josiah Ikechukwu Nnamdi who hails from Ifite, Awka, Anambra State.

SaharaReporters had learnt from top police sources on Saturday that Dr Ikechukwu Nnamdi was arrested while he was hiding in the ceiling of his neighbour’s room after the crime.

SaharaReporters had reported that Halisu, who was confirmed dead after the shooting by the suspected fraudster was flown to Sokoto State for burial.

SaharaReporters had learnt that the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Olufemi Oluyede, reportedly visited Awka, the Anambra State capital, to arrange for the transportation of the EFCC operative to Sokoto State for burial according to Islamic rites.

“He was buried in Sokoto this afternoon according to Muslim rites. Salisu was billed to get married after the next fasting season but he died tragically in the line of duty after his team was dispatched to confront alleged internet fraudsters in Awka, without bulletproof vest,” a family source explained to SaharaReporters.

Speaking with SaharaReporters on Saturday, a top police source had earlier revealed, “The gunman was arrested by the police and EFCC operatives in the ceiling of his neighbour’s room.

“After shooting and killing the EFCC operative he threw out the gun, a short pump action gun owned and licenced by his father into the bush.

“He hid at first in his ceiling and then crawled to his neighbour’s ceiling from where the police arrested and detained him.”

“His father went to the police station to state and support his position that he killed in self-defence.

“All the EFCC operatives dispatched for the night operation had no bulletproof vest. They just wore their branded EFCC jackets.”

“His killer, Chukwuka Josiah ikechukwu Nnamdi from Ifite, Awka, is currently detained at the SCID and he is likely to face murder charges even though he claimed he shot and killed the EFCC operative in self-defence.”

Police sources further told SaharaReporters that Dr Nnamdi threw the gun out of the window after firing shots that killed the EFCC operative and injured another operative.

“This was the gun he claimed was licensed to his father,” the police source added.

SaharaReporters had reported that the officers were on a mission to apprehend a group of suspected cyber criminals when they were attacked on Friday morning.

SaharaReporters had gathered that a contingent of EFCC officials were assigned from the EFCC Enugu Zonal command to apprehend suspected internet fraudsters in Awka, Anambra State.

“They arrived Awka very early to the first home of suspected fraudsters, successfully raided and arrested several persons with exhibits, including credit cards and four luxurious vehicles,” a top source had informed SaharaReporters on Saturday.

“When the EFCC operatives arrested the first set of suspected “yahoo boys” the police in Awka waylaid them and delayed the operatives, claiming they did not seek permission before coming to their jurisdiction to carry out such operation,” the police source revealed further.

“They then set out to visit another location but reportedly found that they were short-staffed and relocated to a smaller location.

“Upon arriving there, it was a location with several apartments. So they told the gatemen to point them to the place of the person they suspected.

“He refused to open his door, apparently suspecting they might be robbers or kidnappers.

“The person of interest refused to open his door asking who they were to which they responded they were EFCC operatives.”

SaharaReporters had learnt that when the suspect refused to open the door, on the claim that the operatives might be robbers or kidnappers.

“The EFCC team proceeded to break into his apartment and the suspect opened fire on the lead person; an EFCC operative known as Salisu.
“He was seriously injured, but still alive with a second operative injured in his left hand. The operatives rushed the operative to a hospital. They arrived at the General Hospital in Awka but there were no doctors. Only two hospital nurses were around who advised them to look for a private hospital,” the top source had narrated further.

The EFCC operatives then drove to a hospital named Amaco where the doctor on duty confirmed the EFCC operative dead.

However, he admitted the injured EFCC operative but said there was no way to treat him without blood transfusion.
“All the EFCC operatives dispatched to the night operation had no bulletproof vest just their branded EFCC jackets,” SaharaReporters was told.

Confirming the incident, the Anambra State Police Command spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, had stated that investigations were underway.

“Investigation into the sad incident is ongoing. The suspect is in custody, and the firearm has been recovered. Further details shall be communicated, please,” Ikenga said.