It was around 5 a.m. when 31-year-old Agabi and his fiancée, who was three months pregnant, were abruptly awakened in their Sokoto State apartment by the sounds of commotion outside. The couple, who had recently learned they were expecting twins, had been savoring the joy of impending parenthood. That joy was soon shattered.
On August 25, 2023, operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) launched a raid on their estate in Kwalkwalawa, targeting suspected internet fraudsters. The operation, which swept through the 20-flat compound, left many residents—including students—arrested.
“It was still dark when the door was forced open,” recounted Agabi. His fiancée lay uncovered as EFCC agents barged into their bedroom. Humiliated but compliant, Agabi requested time to dress before accompanying the agents. Instead, he was hurriedly dragged outside, his laptop and phone confiscated. Struck from behind by an agent, he was shoved into their van alongside other detainees.
At the EFCC state facility, hours of questioning revealed Agabi’s innocence. However, the ordeal left lasting scars. The agents had threatened him, and despite assurances from a director not to publicize his identity, Agabi later found his name listed on the EFCC website.
By the time he was released that evening, his fiancée’s distress had escalated. Two days later, she suffered a miscarriage, losing the twins they had so eagerly anticipated. “The stress and fear inflicted by the EFCC raid killed my twins,” he said somberly.
Alarming Allegations of Brutality
The EFCC’s approach has drawn widespread condemnation. Critics compare its tactics to those of the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), infamous for its brutality. Cases of intimidation, harassment, and unlawful invasions have mounted, leaving many questioning the agency’s adherence to its mandate.
Norah Okafor, a journalist in Abia State, experienced a similar ordeal. Around 2 a.m., masked EFCC agents scaled her compound’s electric fence, smashed her doors, and stormed her room while she was unclothed. “They shouted, ‘Lie down! Face down!’” she recalled. Her belongings were seized, but when agents realized she was a journalist, they hastily retreated, denying the invasion ever occurred. Okafor pursued legal action and won N3.5 million in damages, but the EFCC has yet to comply with the court’s ruling.
Other victims, such as University of Ibadan graduate Chukwudi, faced property seizures and threats during similar raids. Despite eventually recovering some belongings, he noted the agents’ unethical practices, including failing to document confiscated items and subjecting detainees to violence.
EFCC Defends Its Methods
Despite mounting evidence, the EFCC maintains that it operates within the bounds of the law. Spokesperson Dele Oyewale stated, “The EFCC is a law enforcement agency. We typically use search and arrest warrants. We don’t break into people’s homes; we are neither bandits nor terrorists.”
However, public outcry tells a different story. Many Nigerians, including students and professionals, have accused the EFCC of unchecked aggression, arbitrary arrests, and physical abuse during its raids.
Calls for Reform Grow
When Ola Olukoyede succeeded Abdulrasheed Bawa as EFCC chairman in June 2023, hopes for reform rose. Yet, reports of human rights violations have persisted. In November 2023, EFCC operatives invaded a student hostel near Obafemi Awolowo University, arresting 69 students and sparking backlash from student unions and civil society groups.
The growing discontent has reignited calls for comprehensive reforms. Legal and public affairs experts argue that the EFCC must prioritize professionalism and accountability, ensuring its fight against financial crimes does not trample the rights of innocent citizens.
This investigation was supported by the Tiger Eye Foundation in Ghana and the MacArthur Foundation in the United States.