In a dramatic incident that unfolded on Wednesday night, operatives from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) laid siege to the Kogi Governor’s Lodge in Asokoro, Abuja, in what appeared to be an attempt to arrest the former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello. The operation, which saw EFCC agents reportedly firing shots into the air, has raised significant alarm, drawing both public and political attention.
The EFCC raid came after Yahaya Bello had voluntarily visited the commission’s office earlier in the day. According to his Director of Media, Ohiare Michael, Bello had shown willingness to cooperate with the EFCC’s inquiries but was instructed to leave and return at a later date. The unexpected nighttime raid at the lodge, however, was described as “unwarranted and aggressive” by Bello’s media team.
In a statement released to the public, Michael said, “We want to place it on record that the EFCC should be held accountable if anything happens to Yahaya Bello. He made himself available for questioning earlier today, and the commission had no issues then. The sudden decision to raid his lodge at night shows a lack of good faith.”
Eyewitnesses reported that EFCC operatives fired sporadically as they approached the lodge, a move that further escalated tensions. Michael strongly condemned the use of force, describing the situation as unnecessary and dangerous. “The former governor has done nothing to warrant this level of aggression. He was available for questioning earlier. This heavy-handed approach only raises concerns about the true motives behind this raid,” Michael said.
He went on to accuse the EFCC of playing political games, rather than sticking to its core mission of fighting corruption. “This raid is nothing more than a political attack under the guise of an anti-corruption operation. Many Nigerians now believe that the EFCC has been reduced to a tool for political battles,” he added.
Yahaya Bello, who served as Governor of Kogi State from 2016 to 2023, has faced scrutiny from the EFCC regarding allegations of financial misconduct during his time in office. His administration had been criticized for several alleged financial irregularities, including issues related to state funds. However, no charges have been formally brought against him as of the time of the raid.
Bello had voluntarily visited the EFCC’s headquarters earlier in the day for questioning, suggesting that he was willing to cooperate with any ongoing investigations. The sudden escalation, with operatives attempting to arrest him later that same night, has led many to question the EFCC’s intentions.
The raid has sparked widespread reactions, with many Nigerians expressing their opinions on the incident. Some believe that the EFCC is simply doing its job, pursuing allegations of corruption, while others argue that the timing and the force used suggest a political motive.
Supporters of Yahaya Bello have been quick to defend him, accusing the EFCC of being part of a larger political conspiracy. According to them, the raid was orchestrated to tarnish Bello’s image, possibly in light of his future political ambitions.
Others, however, are cautious about jumping to conclusions. Some believe the EFCC’s actions might be justified if they have strong evidence of wrongdoing. “If the EFCC has evidence of corruption, they should present it and follow due process. Raiding a public figure’s residence in the middle of the night sends the wrong message,” said a political analyst.
As of now, the EFCC has not issued an official statement about the raid or the reasons behind their sudden attempt to arrest Bello. The lack of communication has only fueled speculations about the incident.
Michael emphasized that his team will keep the public informed of any further developments. “We will continue to update Nigerians as this situation unfolds. But we want to make it clear that this raid was completely unnecessary,” he concluded.
The EFCC’s raid on the Kogi Governor’s Lodge in search of Yahaya Bello has triggered heated debate in Nigeria. While the former governor’s team insists that he was cooperative and that the raid was politically motivated, the EFCC’s silence leaves many questions unanswered. For now, the nation watches closely as the situation develops, awaiting more details from the EFCC on why they decided to escalate their actions in such a dramatic way.
Stay tuned for more updates on this evolving story as the full details come to light.
