In the wake of the recent tragic death of an Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) officer, the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) urged operatives to fast and pray, SaharaReporters has learnt.
An Assistant Superintendent of the EFCC, ASE 1 Aminu Sahabi Salisu, was recently killed in Anambra State.
SaharaReporters reported last Saturday that earlier in the day, the Anambra State Police Command arrested the suspect who attacked EFCC operatives and shot Salisu during a raid in Awka, the state capital.
SaharaReporters gathered from senior police sources on Saturday that a suspected fraudster identified as Joshua Chukwubueze Ikechukwu, was apprehended while hiding in the ceiling of his neighbour’s room following the crime.
Salisu was later flown to Sokoto State for burial.
However, sources told SaharaReporters that the EFCC chairman, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, told the anti-graft agency’s operatives to pray and fast after they expressed their refusal to conduct night raids unless they are provided with bulletproof vests, night goggles, and adequate security cover.
It was learnt that last week, Olukoyede held a Zoom meeting with several zones, promising to improve office conditions to boost the morale of operatives.
Despite these assurances, some EFCC operatives, speaking anonymously, criticised the chairman, who is also a Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) pastor, for asking them to fast and pray while failing to provide essential tools to combat corruption.
“Days after we lost Salisu in Anambra, the (EFCC) chairman asked us to fast and pray as we say we won’t be carrying out raids at night except we are provided with bulletproof vests, night goggles and adequate security cover,” one of the sources said.
“Many of us felt insulted when the chairman asked us to fast and pray while refusing to provide us with tools to fight corruption. We know he is an RCCG pastor but this is about being equipped for the job, not about faith,” a source said.
The operatives also complained about the lack of basic resources, such as letterhead papers and electricity, in some zones, which hampers their ability to respond to petitions. Additionally, some operatives accused the chairman of favouring lawyers over trained operatives in handling EFCC affairs.
However, efforts to reach the EFCC for comment were unsuccessful, as the mobile line of its Head of Media and Publicity, Mr. Dele Oyewale, was switched off.
Earlier on Sunday, SaharaReporters reported that the EFCC has named the administrative block of its Academy in Karu, Abuja after Salisu.
SaharaReporters reported that the EFCC expressed deep sorrow over the death of Salisu, who was fatally attacked while on duty on January 17, 2025.
Olukoyede disclosed in Abuja on Saturday, January 25, 2025, that the gesture was done to immortalize the slain officer.
He said this while addressing staff of the Commission at the Annual Rewards and Recognition Ceremony held at the EFCC’s Academy.
According to him, Salisu paid the supreme price in the service of the nation and his memory should be kept alive.
“We are saddened by the loss of our officer while on official assignment. He was a gallant officer and to this effect, the administrative block of the Academy is hereby named after him,” he said.
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