Drama as EFCC and NAF personnel clash in Kaduna over arrest of suspected fraudsters

There was a confrontation between some operatives of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) and those of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Kaduna on Friday over the arrest and detention of some suspected internet fraudsters.

According to reports, some NAF personnel stormed the Kaduna office of EFCC located on Wurna road at about 10 a.m. in three Hilux vans and surrounded the main gate.

They reportedly prevented the EFCC operatives from going in or out of the premises in an attempt to release some suspected fraudsters detained by the commission.

However, in a statement, Dele Oyewale, EFCC spokesperson, said operatives of the agency arrested five suspects on Monday at an inn and Disney Chicken Eatery in the Barnawa area of Kaduna after “credible intelligence”.

The EFCC spokesperson said operatives arrested Favour Itung, Rachael Ande, Zuleiman Haruna, Abubakar Ismaila and Solomon Olobatoke, the suspects, without any incident.

Oyewale said thereafter, Lawal Abdullahi, Chukwuma Chidi Christian, Alfa Suleiman and Emmanuel Ekwozor, air force personnel, alongside Chidera Anuba and Joseph Tokula, two students of Nigerian Air Force Institute of Technology, stormed its office in an attempt to allegedly free the suspects but they were all arrested.

“While in detention, there were inter-agency communication and discussions by the leadership of the EFCC and the Nigerian Air Force, NAF to resolve the issues,” he said.

“Unfortunately, dialogue on the release of the combative Air Force personnel broke down on Friday, November 17, 2023 when some unruly NAF Officers stormed the Kaduna Command in a commando- style, to forcefully release their detained colleagues.

“The EFCC exercised restraint in the face of the provocation and flagrant abuse of power.

“The Commission continued to engage with the leadership of the Nigeria Air Force and released the officers to the NAF Provost after they had been duly profiled.”

The EFCC spokesperson said the commission would continue its statutory mandate of tackling all cases of economic and financial crimes.