Kaduna Showdown: EFCC, NAF Personnel Clash Amidst Suspected Fraudster Detentions

Tensions ran high in Kaduna on Friday as a clash unfolded between personnel from the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) concerning the arrest of individuals suspected of engaging in internet fraud.

Reportedly, NAF operatives, arriving at the EFCC office on Wurna road at 10 a.m. in three Hilux vans, surrounded the main gate, obstructing the entry and exit of EFCC personnel. Their mission was allegedly to secure the release of suspected fraudsters detained by the EFCC.

In response, Dele Oyewale, the spokesperson for the EFCC, clarified that the agency had arrested five suspects on Monday at locations in Barnawa, Kaduna, based on credible intelligence. The suspects were identified as Favour Itung, Rachael Ande, Zuleiman Haruna, Abubakar Ismaila, and Solomon Olobatoke.

Oyewale further explained that following the arrests, individuals identified as Lawal Abdullahi, Chukwuma Chidi Christian, Alfa Suleiman, Emmanuel Ekwozor (NAF personnel), Chidera Anuba, and Joseph Tokula (students of the Nigerian Air Force Institute of Technology) attempted to release the detained suspects. Subsequently, dialogue between the EFCC and NAF leadership aimed at resolving the issue broke down on Friday.

“In a commando-style operation, unruly NAF Officers stormed the Kaduna Command to forcefully release their detained colleagues,” stated Oyewale. Despite the provocation, the EFCC exercised restraint and continued engaging with NAF leadership. Eventually, the detained NAF personnel were released to the NAF Provost after due profiling.

The EFCC reaffirmed its commitment to fulfilling its statutory mandate of tackling economic and financial crimes, emphasizing that the clash would not deter the agency from pursuing justice in such cases.