A businessman from Abia State, Mr. Ugochukwu Ezeanyagu, has accused operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of violating his family’s privacy and subjecting his eight-month pregnant wife to severe humiliation during a midnight raid on his residence in Umuahia.
Recounting the ordeal , Ezeanyagu disclosed that the heavily armed operatives, some of whom were masked, stormed his home at Umuobia Olokoro Estate around 2am on Friday, December 6, on suspicion of internet fraud.
“They forcefully broke our gates and doors with hammers to gain entry. My family was terrified.
They seized my phone and electronic devices but found no evidence linking me to any criminal activity,” he lamented.
Ezeanyagu narrated how the operatives allegedly ordered his wife, who was naked and asleep at the time, to lie face down on the floor despite her advanced pregnancy.
“The most humiliating part was that my wife, who is over eight months pregnant, was completely naked when they burst into our room.
They didn’t care about her state or modesty; they just treated us like hardened criminals,” he said.
He revealed that the traumatic experience left his wife in shock, leading to her hospitalisation shortly after the operatives left.
“When they realised they had made a mistake, they apologised and left, but the damage was already done,” he added.
Ezeanyagu criticised the EFCC for what he described as unprofessional and inhumane practices.
He called for justice and urged the anti-graft agency to adopt more respectful approaches to their investigations.
“The EFCC must review its methods. They cannot continue destroying lives and properties in their quest to arrest so-called ‘Yahoo boys’ without evidence. Innocent families shouldn’t suffer for their errors,” he said.
This incident has reignited debates over the EFCC’s operational methods and accountability.
Critics point to a pattern of indiscriminate raids, particularly at odd hours, often leaving innocent citizens traumatised.
In a similar incident three years ago, EFCC operatives wrongfully raided the home of journalist Norah Okafor, also in Umuahia.
Across Nigeria, there have been numerous reports of midnight raids in hotels and private residences, with property damaged and no accountability for wrongful actions.
The EFCC is yet to respond to the allegations as calls for reforms in its operational conduct continue to grow.
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