Detectives from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibadan zonal office, were shocked on Wednesday when suspected Internet fraudsters unleashed a dog on them in order to prevent their arrest.
An EFCC official told PUNCH Metro on Thursday, “Upon the receipt of intelligence reports and the launch of preliminary investigations into their alleged illegal activities, officers of the commission stormed the suspects’ hideout at the Agara area of Ibadan in the early hours of Wednesday.
“But instead of allowing the detectives in after proper introduction, one of the suspects instructed the guard to release the dog to attack the men.
“The trick, however, failed. It rather tasked the detectives to display their dexterity and professionalism. They were able to dislodge the dangerous dog, carry out extensive search on the apartment and arrest the suspects.
“Again, out of desperation to conceal useful information that could help the commission in its investigation, one of the suspects smashed his android phone with the intention to destroy the gadget and deny access to the data therein.
“The attempt equally failed as the operatives took possession of the broken phone. It is now with the forensic unit for proper analysis of the recovered data.”
Confirming the development, the second-in-command to the zonal head, Bright Igeleke, who led the operation, described the experience as one of the “hazards of the job.”
The suspects are Paul Afolabi, Balogun Adebayo, Izu Chukwunalu, Abe Tolulope, Onifade Idowu, Komolafe Tosin and Igwe Otuu.
Operatives from the zone had earlier arrested four other suspects over their alleged involvement in cyber-related offences.
The suspects, Adebisi Michael, Olowolayemo Quddus, Opaaje Oluwatobi and Itowe Olutayo, are currently being interrogated and are said to be giving useful information to the operatives in the quest to unravel the extent of their illegal activities.
They were said to have confessed to using the Internet to defraud unsuspecting victims while posing as white ladies and foreign military officers.
At the point of their arrest, a Lexus car, iPhones and other brands of phones, as well as passports, were recovered from them.
Igeleke said all the suspects would be charged to court as soon as investigations were concluded.
