The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has denied claims that it harassed or intimidated residents during a recent raid on Applewood Estate in Lekki, where 21 individuals suspected of cybercrime fraud were arrested.
The operation, carried out by the EFCC’s cybercrime unit, targeted the high‑profile estate after intelligence indicated a coordinated fraud scheme. Police and investigators entered the premises, seized evidence, and detained 21 suspects for further questioning.
Following the raid, some residents and local community members alleged that the EFCC’s officers used coercive tactics and threatened to damage property. In a statement, the commission rejected these accusations, saying that its officers conducted the operation within the bounds of the law and with due respect for the rights of the residents.
The EFCC, Nigeria’s federal agency tasked with investigating and prosecuting economic and financial crimes, has intensified its focus on cybercrime in recent years. The agency has repeatedly stated that it will pursue all suspects through legal channels, without resorting to intimidation or harassment.
Authorities have not released further details about the identities of the arrested suspects or the specific fraud schemes they were allegedly involved in. The case remains under investigation, with the EFCC promising a thorough judicial process for the accused.
<small>Source: Punch Nigeria — read the original story there.</small>