EFCC Breaks Into Calabar Apartment Through POP, Pours Acid on Gate Lock — Man Cries Out in Viral Video

In a shocking and disturbing incident that has sparked outrage online, a man in Calabar, Cross River State, has cried out after operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) allegedly broke into their apartment through the POP ceiling and poured acid on the locks of their gate just to gain access into the compound. The heartbreaking video, which surfaced on social media late yesterday, has thrown Nigerians into a frenzy, with many questioning the legality and humanity of the EFCC’s operation methods.

According to the distraught man who filmed the incident, the EFCC operatives reportedly arrived at the residence in the early hours of the morning, when most of the occupants were still asleep. In his trembling voice, he narrated how the anti-graft officers forcefully gained entry into their apartment by destroying parts of the ceiling — the POP — and then allegedly poured acid on the gate locks to melt them open. The video, which has since gone viral on X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, and Instagram, shows visible damage to the property, including broken ceiling parts, scattered belongings, and a visibly terrified household.

The man, still in disbelief as he recorded the aftermath, lamented that he and his neighbors were traumatized by the sudden invasion. He claimed that no official search warrant was presented, nor was any clear explanation given for the raid. The tone of his voice carried deep anger and fear as he repeatedly asked, “Is this how EFCC operates now? Pouring acid on people’s gates to break in? What if we had children inside? What if someone got hurt?”

The incident reportedly took place in one of the residential areas in Calabar South, a neighborhood known for its calm environment and middle-class residents. Witnesses around the compound confirmed hearing strange noises in the middle of the night but didn’t realize it was an EFCC operation until they saw officers dressed in black jackets marked “EFCC” moving around the premises. One of the neighbors, who preferred to remain anonymous, said, “We heard them banging on something around 3 a.m. and thought it was a robbery. Everyone was scared. It wasn’t until daylight that we discovered it was EFCC. But why would they break into someone’s house like that?”

The viral video has drawn mixed reactions online, with many Nigerians expressing shock and condemnation over what they described as “unlawful brutality” and “abuse of power” by the EFCC. The comment section across several platforms has been flooded with outrage, with users tagging the EFCC’s official pages and demanding accountability. Some social media users have called for immediate investigations, arguing that even if the occupants were suspects in a cybercrime investigation, there were proper legal channels to follow without resorting to destruction and intimidation.

One user on X wrote, “This is not a crime fight; this is pure terrorism. EFCC is supposed to be a law enforcement body, not a horror movie cast.” Another user commented, “They poured acid on a gate just to enter someone’s compound? What if the acid splashed on a human being? Who takes responsibility for that?”

This is not the first time the EFCC has been accused of conducting aggressive midnight raids. In recent months, there have been multiple reports from different parts of the country — including Lagos, Ibadan, and Port Harcourt — of EFCC operatives allegedly breaking into student hostels, private residences, and lodges in the dead of night without clear warrants. Many Nigerians have expressed fears that such practices are becoming alarmingly common and dangerously normalized.

The Calabar incident has now reignited debates about the agency’s operational ethics and respect for human rights. Legal experts have also weighed in, noting that while the EFCC has the authority to investigate financial crimes, it must do so in line with constitutional provisions and with full regard for the rights and safety of citizens. A lawyer reacting to the video said, “If it’s true that acid was used to break a gate, that’s not only reckless but criminal. Acid is a dangerous substance, and using it in such a manner endangers lives. The EFCC is supposed to uphold the law, not break it.”

As of the time of writing, the EFCC has not issued an official statement regarding the incident. Attempts by reporters to reach the agency’s spokesperson for clarification have been unsuccessful. However, sources close to the situation suggest that the EFCC team involved in the operation may have been acting on intelligence reports about suspected internet fraud activities in the area. Still, this explanation has done little to calm public anger, as Nigerians insist that due process must always be followed regardless of the nature of the crime being investigated.

The viral clip has continued to circulate widely, sparking emotional responses from netizens who empathize with the man’s ordeal. Many called the act “a violation of basic human dignity” and urged the government to rein in its agencies before they lose public trust completely. The man’s voice in the video — filled with disbelief and frustration — has become symbolic of what many Nigerians see as the growing impunity within certain law enforcement institutions. “If EFCC can break into people’s homes through the ceiling, then who is safe?” one person tweeted.

The story has also caught the attention of human rights groups, with some reportedly planning to launch investigations and possibly petition the National Human Rights Commission to take up the case. According to one activist, “What we saw in that video is a breach of human rights. Even criminals deserve to be treated with dignity. This is why Nigerians have lost faith in law enforcement — because the protectors have become the aggressors.”

Meanwhile, the man whose apartment was invaded has called for justice, urging the federal government and relevant authorities to intervene. He claimed that their lives are no longer safe and that they are living in fear of another possible raid. “We can’t even sleep anymore,” he said in another follow-up post. “They broke our ceiling, damaged our property, and scared our neighbors. We did nothing wrong. All we ask for is justice.”

The EFCC, which has faced numerous public relations crises in the past, now finds itself once again in the eye of a storm. The agency has been criticized repeatedly for its approach to anti-corruption and cybercrime enforcement, especially when it comes to targeting young Nigerians. While it continues to insist that its mission is to rid the country of financial crimes, critics argue that its methods have become increasingly violent and counterproductive.

As Nigerians await an official response from the EFCC, questions continue to mount: who authorized the raid, why was acid used, and what evidence justified breaking through the POP of a private home in the middle of the night? The public is demanding answers, accountability, and reform — before another innocent citizen’s home becomes the next scene of a “midnight EFCC operation.”

For now, the man’s cry from Calabar has become a rallying point for many Nigerians who are tired of living in fear of those meant to protect them. His words echo through the viral clip, raw and pained: “They poured acid on our gate to break in. Is this how we fight corruption in Nigeria?” And that haunting question continues to ring louder across the nation — demanding not just answers, but change.