Seven Nigerian Air Force personnel and one serving Nigerian Army officer, allegedly linked with internet fraud, have been released by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The suspects were initially arrested on Monday by personnel of the Kaduna State zonal office of the anti-graft agency and were held in custody for investigation and possible prosecution.
However, the situation took a different turn when armed Nigerian Air Force personnel reportedly invaded the EFCC office located at Number 4, Wurno Road in Kaduna. They demanded the release of their colleagues who were being held by the anti-graft agency.
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The Armed personnel arrived at the EFCC office in five Hilux patrol vans around 10 am, cordoning off the area and obstructing EFCC officials from entering or leaving. This escalated into a confrontation between the soldiers and EFCC personnel.
The tense situation was eventually brought under control after a brief meeting between the EFCC zonal head and the leader of the Nigerian Air Force team, leading to the release of the suspects.
Authorities of the EFCC in Kaduna expressed concern, stating that the release and handover of the suspects to their respective agencies went against the commission’s standard operating procedure. Despite having completed its investigation and forensic profiling, the EFCC emphasized that the suspects would still be arraigned in court.
(Editor : Ena Agbanoma)
