An officer of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), whose identity has yet to be disclosed, has reportedly collapsed and tragically passed away in Lagos State.
According to reports, the incident occurred on Sunday at an undisclosed location within Lagos. A viral video circulating online captured the lifeless body of the officer, who was not on official duty at the time and was dressed in civilian attire. The footage showed sympathizers, including police officers, gathered around the scene as they tried to confirm his identity.
A search of the deceased officer's bag reportedly revealed his official EFCC identification card, which confirmed his affiliation with the agency. In the video, a voice could be heard stating, “He works with EFCC. His ID card is with him.”
Speaking about the incident on Monday, EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale confirmed the officer’s death and assured the public that investigations are ongoing to uncover the circumstances surrounding the tragic occurrence. “Yes, the man is our officer. His death is being investigated. The incident happened on Sunday,” he said.
This unfortunate incident comes on the heels of another tragic event that took place earlier this month. On January 15, a suspected internet fraudster identified as Joshua Ikechukwu fatally shot Assistant Superintendent Aminu Salisu, an EFCC officer, during a raid in Onitsha, Anambra State. Operatives from the EFCC’s Enugu zonal headquarters were ambushed while attempting to apprehend suspected cybercriminals, leading to Salisu’s untimely demise.
Oyewale condemned the spread of misinformation surrounding recent incidents involving EFCC operatives and reiterated the agency’s commitment to ensuring justice for its officers and maintaining public trust. He assured the public that the EFCC remains dedicated to its mission of combating financial crimes and upholding the rule of law.