The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has shed more light on the circumstances leading to the death of a man identified as Asar Michael Sesugh after escaping from its custody.
Naijaonpoint reports that the EFCC, in a statement on Saturday, explained that operatives from the Makurdi Zonal Directorate in Benue State arrested 26 suspected cyber fraudsters on April 28, 2026, and kept them in custody for further investigations after obtaining a Remand Order at a Magistrate’s Court.
In the course of their detention, the EFCC narrated that three of the suspects sought permission to use the toilet at the Directorate’s Holding Facility and were permitted.
However, the suspects used the opportunity, broke the toilet’s roof and escaped from detention, with the agency adding that several efforts to re-arrest them proved futile.
The statement added that the EFCC received fresh intelligence on Thursday, May 21, 2026, that one of the escaped suspects, Asar Michael Sesugh, was hiding somewhere in the Kansho axis of Makurdi, which made operatives storm the area.
Sesugh and his suspected cult members, however, opened fire on the operatives, leading to an exchange of gunfire during the encounter.
The EFCC said Sesugh was later sighted lying in a pool of his blood by the roadside and was taken to the Police Cottage Hospital at the Police Headquarters in Makurdi, where he was pronounced dead.
The Commission stated that the dead suspect did not die in custody and was not on bail at any time, while the matter has been reported to the Police and is under investigation.
The full statement titled, ‘Setting the Records Straight on Citizen Asar Michael Sesugh’s Death’ reads: “The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, considered it imperative to clear the air on some recent incidents at its Makurdi Zonal Directorate, Benue State.
“Operatives of the Directorate arrested 26 suspected cyber fraudsters on April 28, 2026. They were profiled and kept in custody for further investigations after obtaining a Remand Order at a Magistrate Court.
“Shortly after their arrest, specifically on May 4, 2026, three of the suspects sought permission to use the lavatory at the Directorate’s Holding Facility and were permitted. They cashed in on the opportunity, broke the toilet’s roof and escaped from detention. Several efforts were made to re- arrest them to no avail.
“However, fresh intelligence came on Thursday, May 21, 2026 that one of the escaped suspects, Asar Michael Sesugh, was hiding somewhere in the Kansho axis of Makurdi. Operatives made for the location. Upon sighting the team, Sesugh and his suspected cult members opened fire on them.
“Operatives of the Commission returned fire in self-defence. All the suspected cult members, including Sesugh, fled owing to the exchange of fire between them and EFCC’s operatives. However, Sesugh was later sighted lying in the pool of his blood by the roadside. He was promptly taken to the Police Cottage Hospital at the Police Headquarters in Makurdi where he was pronounced dead.
“The Commission reported the matter at the Benue State Police Headquarters, Makurdi and the Police has begun investigation to ascertain the circumstances surrounding his death and making efforts to arrest other fleeing members of the suspected cult. Preliminary reports of the findings of the Police have also been released to the public.
“The Commission wishes to state clearly that the dead suspect did not die in custody and was not on bail at any time. While the EFCC expresses its condolences to the family of the deceased suspect, it will not condone any further attack of its Operatives or breach of its internal security by suspects. The Commission assures that it will continue to act in the best interests of the nation.”
