Local and international rights groups have frowned at violent attack on the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Magu, demanding investigation to unravel the criminals behind the act.

This comes on the heels of a recent invasion of the farm house of Magu where a Policeman was reportedly killed as a result of gunfire from the attackers.

In a statement issued on Monday in Lagos by a coalition of rights groups comprising HEDA Resource Centre and its International partners – Global Witness, Corner House, Re: Common and World Anti-Corruption Research Network, the groups described the attack as heinous, barbaric and criminal.

It stated further that such an attack highlights the need for vigilance on the part of citizens and for a thorough investigation into the failures by the security services that allowed the attack to happen.

“Unresolved criminal activities embolden the perpetrators and others to commit more atrocities. While HEDA is not ruling out the possibility of pro-corruption elements fighting back to take a pound of flesh from the EFCC Chairman, for his successful fight against corruption.

“Again, we call on government to pay higher premium to provision of security for Nigerians in general and EFCC in particular. An attempt was made on life of the pioneer chairman of the Commission and those behind the dastardly act are still to be apprehended over 10 years down the line. Some assailants invaded an office of the EFCC recently and the invaders are still freely working the street.

“As beneficiaries of Corruption are set to fight back in days leading to the 2019 elections, we call on government to rejig the security system and reposition them for realities of present days. We reject any attempt by any group of people to use the tactics of intimidation through such brazen and dastard acts to disrupt the ongoing fight against corruption.”

HEDA and its partners recently organised training workshops in Lagos and Abuja on ‘Tracing Noxious Funds’ for investigative journalists, civil society activists and Law enforcement officers. This was in recognition of commendable achievements in the anti-corruption drive of the government in General and EFCC in particular.