Civil Society Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), a Civil Society Organisation (CSO), has condemned Wednesday’s attack on Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), saying it was a fight-back by corruption.

Executive Director of the organisation, Auwal Rafsanjani said the attack on the commission was a glaringly acknowledgement of its commendable efforts in waging war against corruption.

Rafsanjani urged Nigerians to rise against opponents of anti-graft war, saying that the fight should be supported, upheld and sustained by all well-meaning Nigerians for socio-economic development and prosperity of the country.

CISLAC condemns in totality, the unwarranted but suppressed attack by unknown armed group on EFCC on Wednesday, with subsequent death threat on the commission’s operatives.

It was only in June that an operative in the Fraud Section of the commission’s zonal office in Port Harcourt was also attacked by yet to be identified gunmen.

CISLAC notes with grave concern and utmost dismay the emerging trend where officials of the commission are singled out as targets by armed individuals and groups in the course of their duty and service to the nation.

This is signalling the obstinate nature of the deep-seated menace of corruption fight-back.

We are not unaware that the recent open display of mischief at EFCC office located at Wuse Zone 7, Abuja, by the unknown armed group was a ridiculous effort to frustrate the fight against corruption in the country,’’ he said.

He said CISLAC was disturbed but not surprised at “such sponsored immorality and dubious move by some individuals to divert EFCC’s attention and frighten anti-graft operatives from the progressive struggles at uprooting major corruption cases.

The director said as observed in the past, ethno-religious narratives were being employed to whip up sentiments in an attempt to distract citizens from demanding more accountability from government.

He said it was worrisome that instead encouraging and upholding successes against corruption, some unpatriotic individuals and groups had resorted to engaging the service of armed bandits to stifle anti-corruption gains.

He called on EFCC never to succumb to threats or intimidation by any person or group, but should strengthen its arsenal, including enhanced strategies and support for whistle-blowing.

Rafsanjani called on the Federal Government to see the attack on EFCC as a wake-up call to re-double efforts in the anti-graft war.

He challenged the legislature and judiciary to rise to the occasion, saying that they could not afford to be either lukewarm or unsupportive at this critical time of Nigeria’s national development.

He also called on the international community to play its role in ensuring that very high profile individuals fingered in corruption cases and illicit financial activities were brought to book.