A young man identified as Endurance Udeke has reportedly died after jumping from a four-storey building during a raid carried out by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the Lekki area of Lagos State.
The EFCC confirmed the incident in a statement issued on Saturday, saying the operation, which took place on November 4, targeted suspected internet fraudsters residing at Periwinkle Estate, Lekki Phase 1.
According to the agency, four suspects were arrested during the sting operation, while Udeke and another resident of Apartment W6A attempted to flee after learning of the EFCC’s presence.
“Udeke and one other resident got wind of the operation and tried to escape arrest by jumping down from the four-storey building,” the Commission stated. “Udeke did not survive the suicidal effort despite medical interventions to save him.”
The EFCC added that the second individual survived after receiving treatment and has since been stabilised.
The anti-graft agency stressed that its operatives had no physical contact with Udeke before the incident, describing his action as “tragic and unnecessary.”
“The Commission is shocked at the suicidal action of the deceased. There was no contact between EFCC officers and the deceased before the unfortunate incident,” the agency noted.
The EFCC said the case has been handed over to the Nigeria Police for further investigation into the circumstances surrounding Udeke’s death.
While expressing condolences to the family of the deceased, the Commission urged members of the public to remain calm and cooperate with operatives during lawful operations, insisting that its activities are conducted in line with due process.
“No one with nothing to hide has any reason to fear EFCC sting operations,” the statement added.
The incident comes amid rising public scrutiny of EFCC enforcement methods, following several controversial operations in recent months.
In September, the agency came under criticism after an early morning raid at a Lagos hotel led to the arrest of 11 individuals, including guests later found not to be connected to internet fraud.
Similarly, earlier this year, the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Ogun State accused the EFCC of unlawfully raiding its premises, demanding ₦3.5 billion in damages and a public apology.
Despite the growing criticism, the EFCC maintains that its anti-corruption campaign remains central to Nigeria’s efforts to combat cybercrime and financial malpractices.
