The Anambra State Police Command has arrested Dr. Chukwuka Josiah Ikechukwu Nnamdi, a medical practitioner from Ifite, Awka, who is accused of fatally shooting an operative of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Halisu Sahabi, during a raid in Awka, the state capital.
Dr. Nnamdi, now in custody, allegedly hid in the ceiling of his neighbor’s house after the incident. The deceased EFCC operative, who held the rank of Assistant Superintendent (ASE II), was reportedly shot while carrying out an operation against suspected internet fraudsters.
The Anambra Police spokesperson, Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the arrest on Saturday but stated, “Further details will be provided after the investigation is concluded.”
Details of the Incident
According to Chronicles Reporters, Halisu, who succumbed to his injuries after the attack, was later transported to Sokoto State for burial according to Islamic rites. The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, reportedly visited Awka to oversee the transportation arrangements.
A senior police source disclosed that Dr. Nnamdi fired the fatal shot and then discarded the weapon—a short pump-action gun reportedly licensed to his father—into a nearby bush. Initially hiding in his own ceiling, the suspect later crawled into his neighbor’s ceiling, where he was apprehended by a joint team of police and EFCC operatives.
“His father claimed the shooting was in self-defense, and he supported this position at the police station,” the source added. “However, the suspect remains in custody at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) and may face murder charges.”
The same source revealed that none of the EFCC operatives involved in the raid were equipped with bulletproof vests, relying only on their branded EFCC jackets for identification.
Sequence of Events
The EFCC team from the Enugu Zonal Command was on a mission to apprehend suspected cybercriminals in Awka. They successfully raided one location, arresting several suspects and seizing items including credit cards and luxury vehicles.
However, a second operation met resistance. Upon arriving at the residence of another suspect, the operatives were delayed by local police, who reportedly questioned their jurisdiction.
When the operatives proceeded to the suspect’s apartment, he refused to open the door, allegedly mistaking them for robbers or kidnappers. After identifying themselves as EFCC operatives, the team forced entry, prompting the suspect to open fire.
The lead operative, Halisu, was critically injured, and another operative sustained a hand injury. The team rushed to Awka General Hospital, where no doctors were available. They then moved to a private hospital, Amaco, where Halisu was pronounced dead.
Police Confirm Ongoing Investigation
SP Tochukwu Ikenga stated that the suspect remains in custody, and the firearm used in the attack has been recovered. “Investigations into this tragic incident are ongoing. Updates will be shared as they become available,” he said.
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