The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has refuted allegations of harassment and misconduct during a sting operation that led to the arrest of 37 suspected internet fraudsters at Majesty Estate, NTA Road, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The commission’s response follows the circulation of a viral video showing a damaged door and claims that EFCC operatives broke into apartments and harassed innocent residents during the raid conducted on Friday.
In a statement on Saturday by its Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, the EFCC described the video and accompanying reports as “strange and unwarranted,” maintaining that its operatives acted within the bounds of professionalism and due process throughout the operation.
“In the course of the operation, the apartment of one of the residents that the Commission’s intelligence flagged was visited. For some inexplicable reason, the residents refused to open their doors even when operatives of the Commission properly introduced themselves and announced their mission.
On this score, one of the doors of the apartment was prised open and search operations were carried out. No arrest or recovery was made, and no unprofessional conduct happened in the course of the operations,” the statement partly read.
Oyewale noted that operatives acted on a distress call from residents of the estate, who raised alarm over the growing presence of suspected internet fraudsters in their community.
He added that many residents welcomed the intervention and commended the arrests made.
The Commission finds reports of a viral video of a broken door and harassment of residents in the Estate strange and unwarranted, as many residents profusely appreciated and commended the Commission for coming to their aid,” Oyewale stated.
While stressing its commitment to professionalism and the rule of law, the Commission said it would not shield any operative found to have acted beyond the scope of the law.
“The Commission remains resolute in upholding sound professional conduct in its operations and will not hesitate to take disciplinary measures against any of its operatives found to be overzealous in the discharge of his duties,” Oyewale added.
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