Tension Flares as EFCC and Nigerian Air Force Personnel Engage in Confrontation in Kaduna

Chaos has erupted in Kaduna as a clash unfolded between Nigerian Air Force (NAF) officers and operatives from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the apprehension of suspected fraudsters. Reports indicate that NAF personnel barricaded the entrance to the EFCC zonal command office in response to the detention of some of their colleagues by the anti-graft agency.

Dele Oyewale, the spokesperson for the EFCC, clarified that the confrontation stemmed from the arrest of individuals involved in internet fraud. The suspects, identified as Favour Itung, Rachael Ande, Zuleiman Haruna, Abubakar Ismaila, and Solomon Olobatoke, were apprehended during a sting operation at a residential Inn and Disney Chicken Eatery in the Barnawa area of Kaduna.

Oyewale explained that following the arrests, six military personnel, who had witnessed the operation at Disney Chicken Eatery, attempted to forcefully release the detained fraud suspects. The intruders, comprising four Air Force personnel (Lawal Abdullahi, Chukwuma Chidi Christian, Alfa Suleiman, and Emmanuel Ekwozor) and two students from the Nigerian Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) – Chidera Anuba and Joseph Tokula – were subdued and detained for breaching security.

While in custody, communication and discussions between EFCC and NAF leadership aimed at resolving the issue took place. Regrettably, talks broke down on Friday, November 17, 2023, when a group of unruly NAF officers executed a commando-style raid on the Kaduna Command to forcibly release their detained colleagues.

Despite the provocation and perceived abuse of power, the EFCC exercised restraint and continued engagement with the Nigerian Air Force leadership. Eventually, the detained officers were released to the NAF Provost after undergoing proper profiling. As of the time of this report, the Nigerian Air Force has not provided any official comments on the incident.