EFCC honors slain officer

As a tribute to immortalize the memory of Mr. Aminu Salisu, an officer of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) who was recently killed in the line of duty by suspected internet fraudsters in Awka, Anambra State, the EFCC has named its Academy’s administrative building in Karu, Abuja, after him.

Ola Olukoyede, the Executive Chairman of the EFCC, made this known on Saturday during the Commission’s Annual Rewards and Recognition Ceremony held at the EFCC Academy.

Assistant Superintendent Aminu Sahabi Salisu was killed while on legitimate duty on January 17, 2025, by a suspected internet fraudster, Joshua Chukwubueze Ikechukwu.

Speaking at the event, Mr. Olukoyede described the late Salisu as a gallant officer who paid the ultimate price in the service of the nation, emphasizing the need to keep his legacy alive.

“We are deeply saddened by the loss of our officer while on official assignment. He was a brave and dedicated officer. To honor his sacrifice, the administrative block of the academy will now bear his name,” Mr. Olukoyede stated.

The ceremony also celebrated excellence within the EFCC, as 36 officers were recognized across various categories for their outstanding contributions in 2024. These categories included the Section with the Highest Recovery, the Section with the Highest Convictions, the Lawyer with the Highest Convictions, the Best Departmental Staff, the Best Zonal Directorate, and the Staff of the Year.

Congratulating the award recipients, the EFCC Chairman commended their dedication, urging all staff to sustain their commitment to excellence. “Excellence is not about doing things right occasionally; it’s about consistently doing things right,” he remarked.

He encouraged staff to continue striving for success despite challenges, saying, “The reward for hard work is more work. Let’s keep the flag flying.”

Highlighting the Commission’s achievements, Mr. Olukoyede noted significant milestones in 2024, including record-breaking arrests and convictions, as well as the seizure of substantial assets linked to financial crimes.

“The year 2024 will be remembered as a landmark year for the EFCC. It was the year we achieved the single largest property recovery and conducted the largest single arrest operation in Nigeria,” he said.

He further revealed that 900 staff had been promoted and announced the reinstatement of life and property insurance for staff, reiterating the Commission’s commitment to their welfare.

However, Mr. Olukoyede issued a stern warning against compromising the EFCC’s core values, emphasizing that the ongoing internal reforms would spare no one.

“The internal cleansing within the Commission will not tolerate any breaches of our core values,” he warned.