Skales
Nigerian singer and rapper Skales has thrown his voice into the growing outrage over the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) early-morning raid on a residential estate in Lekki, Lagos. The “Shake Body” hitmaker called out the anti-graft agency on X, urged young Nigerians to stand up against what he described as intimidation, and revealed that his own run-in with EFCC operatives in 2023 still leaves him shaken.
Watch: Video From the Lekki Estate Raid
This clip, shared on X on the day of the operation, shows the EFCC raid that sparked Skales’ reaction.
Video of EFCC operatives during the early-morning operation on Orchid Road, Lekki, Lagos.
— NewsClick Nigeria (@NewsClickng) October 26, 2026
What Skales Said About the EFCC Raid
Reacting to videos of the operation circulating online, Skales wrote that “EFCC is back to be a nuisance again,”.
He also shared a video of a woman who was reportedly hurt during the raid and asked the commission to “stop the abuse.”
The singer, whose real name is Raoul John Njeng-Njeng, made it clear that he does not support fraud or anyone involved in it. His problem, he said, is with the way the arrests are carried out.
“Same Energy” for Politicians
Skales questioned why the agency appears to go hard on young people while politicians accused of stealing billions of naira are left alone.
According to reports, he said operatives storm apartments “like armed robbers” to pick up young people suspected of cybercrime. He called on Nigerian youths to unite and resist what he sees as intimidation, while accepting that the EFCC has a legitimate job to do as long as it is done decently.
What Happened at the Lekki Estate
The operation took place at about 5am on Monday, October 26, 2026, at Applewood Estate on Orchid Road, Lekki. It was carried out by the EFCC’s Lagos Directorate 1.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, October 27, the commission said 21 suspected cybercrime fraudsters were arrested and five exotic cars were recovered. The EFCC said the arrests followed surveillance and intelligence gathering.
According to the agency, the suspects allegedly defrauded victims through gift cards, cryptocurrency and international money transfers by impersonating other people.
EFCC Defends the Operation
Videos from the raid drew strong backlash online, with many Nigerians accusing the operatives of harassment. Footage of a young woman being held during the operation angered many viewers.
The EFCC rejected claims of harassment, intimidation or unlawful arrest and described the operation as professional. It said the woman was held briefly because she tried to alert the suspects by phone. Her phone was taken until the operation ended and was later returned to her.
The commission added that preliminary investigations linked 19 of the 21 suspects to the alleged crimes. The other two were released, while the 19 are expected to be charged to court.
Skales Recalls His Own Traumatic EFCC Encounter
For Skales, the issue is personal. In October 2023, EFCC operatives entered his Lagos home in the early hours after he had returned from a performance.
At the time, he posted on X that the commission “pulled up to my house with 3 men with guns and some with sticks and hammers.” He also wrote, “I am not a criminal, I have never don fraud in my life.”
The EFCC later confirmed that its operatives were at the residence and said two suspected internet fraudsters were arrested there. Skales was not among those arrested.
The Lasting Impact
Skales has said he was asleep with his six-month-old daughter when the operatives broke in, and that the experience left him frightened and traumatised.
After the incident, he changed his locks and keys, his family moved out temporarily, and he stayed at a friend’s house for three days. He says the memory still stays with him, which is why the Lekki videos hit so close to home.
Quick Facts
- Who: Nigerian singer Skales (Raoul John Njeng-Njeng)
- What: Condemned the EFCC’s handling of a raid in Lekki, Lagos
- Raid date: Monday, October 26, 2026, at about 5am
- Location: Applewood Estate, Orchid Road, Lekki
- EFCC figures: 21 arrested, five exotic cars recovered, 19 to be charged, two released
- Skales’ past case: EFCC operatives entered his home in October 2023
Why This Story Matters
Skales is not the first Nigerian entertainer to speak out about the way EFCC raids are carried out, but his voice carries weight because he has lived through one. Raids on young people in Lagos estates have often sparked heated debate online, with many Nigerians questioning the use of force and the treatment of bystanders.
The singer, known for hits such as “Shake Body” and projects like E Is For Energy, has collaborated with acts across West Africa, including Ghana’s Stonebwoy on Leave Me Breathless. His post has added a celebrity voice to the online conversation about how the EFCC operates.
Final Word
Skales has been careful to separate himself from fraud while demanding that the EFCC treat suspects and bystanders with dignity. With the commission standing by its operation and the 19 suspects heading to court, the debate over how such raids are carried out is unlikely to end soon. Halmblog will keep following the story.
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