TheCable

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) says the attack on the head office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is an indication that looters will go to any length to scuttle the anti-corruption war.

MURIC said the incident is an open challenge to nation’s security agencies.

The group described the attack as “cowardly and devilish,” adding that it has opened another phase in the war against corruption in the country.

In a statement issued in Ibadan on Thursday, Ishaq Akintola, director of the group, asked the police and Department of State Security (DSS) to accept the challenge and bring the perpetrators to book.

“The attack shows that looters of the Nigerian treasury have resorted to armed confrontation to achieve their diabolical objective,” the group said.

“Though disheartening, the invasion of EFCC headquarters has opened another phase in the war against corruption.

“It has revealed very clearly that looters will stop at nothing to frustrate the ongoing anti-graft war. They are ready to shed blood.

“We urge the inspector general of police and the director general of the department of state security to rise to the occasion, accept the challenge thrown by the attackers and bring them to book within a reasonable time.

“The personal safety of EFCC operatives must be guaranteed and this is the responsibility of our security agencies.”

MURIC said the EFCC headquarters and other offices must be well fortified henceforth, with quick-response squads on permanent standby.

“We charge Nigerians to renew their commitment to the war against corruption,” he said.

“This is a war between light and darkness, a struggle between truth and falsehood, a tussle between good and evil.

“There must be no retreat, no surrender. We must not allow agents of darkness to overwhelm EFCC. It is about our future and the destiny of generations yet unborn.”