The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has denied reports that a suspect, Asar Michael Sesugh, died in its custody, insisting that he was killed during an exchange of gunfire after escaping from detention.
In a statement issued on Saturday by the Commission’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, the anti-graft agency said Sesugh was among 26 suspected cybercrime suspects arrested by operatives of its Makurdi Zonal Directorate on April 28, 2026.
According to the EFCC, the suspects were detained after a remand order was obtained from a magistrate court pending further investigations.
The Commission said three of the suspects escaped from custody on May 4 after obtaining permission to use the facility’s restroom, where they allegedly broke through the roof and fled.
The agency said efforts to re-arrest the escapees initially proved unsuccessful until intelligence reports indicated that Sesugh was hiding in the Kansho area of Makurdi.
The EFCC alleged that upon sighting operatives who moved in to apprehend him on May 21, Sesugh and suspected cult members accompanying him opened fire on the team.
The operatives reportedly returned fire in self-defence, leading to an exchange of gunfire during which the suspects fled.
“Sesugh was later found lying in a pool of blood by the roadside and was immediately taken to the Police Cottage Hospital in Makurdi, where he was pronounced dead,” the statement said.
The Commission added that the incident was reported to the Benue State Police Command, which has commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death and is also tracking other fleeing suspects.
The EFCC stressed that the deceased was neither in custody nor on bail at the time of his death, dismissing claims suggesting otherwise.
While expressing condolences to Sesugh’s family, the agency maintained that it would not tolerate attacks on its personnel or breaches of its detention facilities.
The Commission reiterated its commitment to enforcing the law and safeguarding national security.
