Celebration. Shock. Applause.

That was the mood across social media in Nigeria after news broke that fugitive former Minister of Power, Mamman Saleh, had finally been arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

Many Nigerians described the arrest as a rare moment of accountability in the country’s anti-corruption fight, with some praising the EFCC for tracking down a high-profile convict who allegedly vanished after his conviction.

Others, however, questioned whether the former minister would truly serve the 75-year jail term handed to him by the court.

EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, confirmed that Saleh was arrested around 3:30am in the Rigasa area of Kaduna State after operatives tracked him to a hideout.

According to the anti-graft agency, two Nigerians suspected of protecting the former minister were also arrested during the operation.

Saleh had been declared wanted days earlier after Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court sentenced him to 75 years imprisonment for diverting over N33 billion linked to the controversial Mambila and Zungeru power projects.

The court convicted him on all 12 counts filed by the EFCC, marking one of the heaviest corruption sentences handed to a former public official in recent years.

The Mambila and Zungeru projects, both critical to Nigeria’s electricity expansion plans, have long been associated with delays, funding disputes and corruption allegations.

Speaking after the arrest, Olukoyede said the EFCC remains committed to pursuing corrupt officials regardless of their status or influence.

He warned that anyone involved in financial crimes would eventually be brought to justice.

The dramatic arrest has since triggered widespread debate online, with many Nigerians calling it a major test of the country’s willingness to enforce high-profile corruption convictions without political interference.