A medical doctor, Chukwuka Josiah Ikechukwu Nnamdi, has been taken into custody by the Anambra State Police Command after allegedly shooting and killing an operative of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) during a raid in the early hours of Friday.
The incident occurred when a team of EFCC officials from the Enugu Zonal Command carried out an operation in Awka to apprehend suspected internet fraudsters, also known as “yahoo boys.” The team had successfully raided one location and arrested several suspects along with evidence including credit cards and four luxury vehicles.
However, when the EFCC operatives attempted to raid a second location, they encountered resistance from Dr. Nnamdi, who refused to open his apartment door, suspecting that the individuals might be kidnappers or robbers. The EFCC team then forcibly entered the apartment, prompting Dr. Nnamdi to open fire with a pump-action gun, which he claimed was licensed to his father.
One EFCC operative, identified as Salisu, was critically injured in the shooting, while another sustained a wound to his left hand. The operatives rushed Salisu to a general hospital in Awka, but due to the absence of doctors, they were advised to seek treatment at a private hospital. Salisu was later pronounced dead upon arrival at Amaco Hospital. The second injured operative was admitted but could not receive proper treatment due to the lack of blood for transfusion.
Police sources revealed that Dr. Nnamdi threw the gun out of the window after the shooting. The firearm has since been recovered by the police.
Concerns have been raised about the EFCC’s conduct during the operation, as it was reported that the team did not inform local police authorities of their presence in Awka, which is standard protocol. Furthermore, the EFCC operatives allegedly targeted apartments based on the types of vehicles parked outside, using them as indicators of which units to search.
SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the spokesperson for the Anambra State Police Command, confirmed the incident and stated that an investigation is underway. Dr. Nnamdi, who claims to have acted in self-defense, is currently detained at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) and is likely to face murder charges.