Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has issued an urgent public alert warning Nigerians about a rising wave of criminal impersonation, where fraudsters dressed in fake EFCC uniforms are laying ambush outside popular eateries and fun spots in major cities, harassing innocent youths on unfounded suspicions of being internet fraudsters and dispossessing them of their valuables. In a statement released on Wednesday, the anti-graft agency disclosed that intelligence available to the commission has uncovered several ingenious but fraudulent schemes being employed by dark characters to besmirch the reputation of the EFCC. The commission specifically identified a gang operating around restaurants and entertainment centres, whose modus operandi involves targeting young people emerging from such venues, accusing them of cybercrime without evidence, and then forcibly taking their phones, laptops, cash, and other valuables. These impersonators typically portray the identities of authentic EFCC officers by wearing fake uniforms and moving their victims to locations that bear a fictitious resemblance to an official EFCC office, thereby intimidating their targets into compliance.
The EFCC further warned of a separate gang of itinerant criminals who harass innocent motorists based on the identities of their vehicle number plates. These individuals wield dangerous weapons to compel their victims to offer them money on trumped-up accusations, often claiming that the vehicle is linked to proceeds of crime or that the driver is under investigation. The commission noted that these criminals operate with impunity, exploiting the fear and respect that the EFCC commands among the public. In yet another variant of impersonation, the EFCC identified a tribe of online fraudsters and fraudulent content creators who dramatize fake sting operations of the commission, complete with fabricated videos showing broken doors, shattered windows, and forced entries into premises. These videos are then circulated on social media to create the false impression that the EFCC is carrying out aggressive raids on innocent citizens. The commission warned that such uncharacteristic portrayals could deceive unsuspecting members of the public into holding the EFCC and its officers culpable for the contrived actions of impersonators.
The EFCC’s alert comes amid growing public concern over the conduct of some individuals claiming to be anti-graft operatives. In recent months, several videos have surfaced online showing masked men in black uniforms breaking into homes and offices, with captions alleging EFCC operations. The commission has repeatedly denied involvement in such incidents, insisting that its standard operating procedures require proper identification, search warrants, and the presence of witnesses during any raid. The latest statement reiterates that the EFCC has well established protocols for all its activities and appropriate channels for ventilating grievances against any operation or officer of the commission are in place. The agency urged citizens to be circumspect in evaluating claims intended to drag the commission’s image into the mud, and to verify the identity of anyone claiming to be an EFCC officer by requesting official identification and contacting the nearest EFCC office.
The phenomenon of impersonating EFCC officers is not entirely new, but the scale and audacity of recent operations have alarmed the commission. In 2025, the EFCC arrested a 12-man syndicate in Lagos that had been extorting residents while dressed in fake EFCC jackets. In that case, the impersonators had even set up a mock office with interrogation rooms and fake detention cells. Similarly, in February 2026, operatives of the Nigeria Police Force arrested three men in Abuja who were parading themselves as EFCC officials and collecting bribes from motorists under the threat of arrest. Despite these arrests, the problem persists, and the EFCC’s latest alert suggests that impersonators are adapting their tactics, moving from static mock offices to mobile ambushes at eateries and fun spots.
The commission’s statement also addressed the issue of online impersonators who create fake social media accounts in the names of EFCC officials, including the Executive Chairman, to defraud members of the public. These fraudsters often promise to help victims recover lost funds or secure contracts in exchange for advance fees. The EFCC has repeatedly warned that it does not solicit payments or use third-party agents for any of its operations. The public is advised to report any suspicious activity to the commission through its official hotlines or by visiting its nearest zonal office. The agency also encouraged citizens to record interactions with anyone claiming to be an EFCC officer, noting that such evidence can be crucial in identifying and prosecuting impersonators.
Reactions from civil society groups have been mixed. While some have commended the EFCC for proactively alerting the public, others have questioned why the commission has not done more to arrest the impersonators. The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) issued a statement calling on the EFCC to collaborate with the police and other security agencies to launch a coordinated crackdown on the syndicates. “Impersonation of any security agency is a serious crime. The fact that these criminals are operating openly in major cities suggests a failure of intelligence and enforcement,” the group said. The EFCC, however, maintains that it has arrested several impersonators in recent months and that investigations are ongoing to dismantle the networks behind these operations.
The commission’s public alert also serves as a reminder to citizens to be vigilant and to verify the identity of anyone claiming to be a law enforcement officer. The EFCC noted that genuine officers are required to present valid identification cards and, in most cases, a search warrant before conducting any operation. Citizens who are unsure of the authenticity of an officer are advised to ask for identification and to call the EFCC’s control room to confirm the officer’s name and assignment. The commission reiterated its commitment to ridding the nation of economic and financial crimes and other acts of corruption, but it pleaded with well-meaning and reform-minded Nigerians not to allow their judgment of the commission’s work to be negatively affected by the activities of impersonators, blackmailers, and fake characters using the commission’s identity to serve their nefarious interests. As the fight against corruption continues, the EFCC is determined to protect its hard-won reputation while ensuring that criminals hiding behind its name are brought to justice.
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