A suspected Cybercriminal, Asar Michael Sesugh, who broke out of an Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) holding facility in Makurdi, Benue State, did not die in custody, the anti-graft agency has clarified.
The EFCC confirmed the death of Sesugh in a statement on Saturday by its Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, pushing back against what it described as inaccurate accounts of the circumstances surrounding his death.
According to the agency, Sesugh was among 26 suspected cybercriminals arrested on April 28, 2026, by operatives of the Makurdi Zonal Directorate, explaining that they were remanded in the Directorate holding facility following a court order obtained at a Magistrate Court.
It said on May 4, 2026, barely a week in custody, three of the detainees, including Sesugh, requested 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, and repeated efforts to recapture them were unsuccessful.
EFCC said the situation turned violent on May 21, 2026, when fresh intelligence came that one of the escaped suspects, Sesugh, was hiding somewhere in the Kansho axis of Makurdi. Adding that when the operatives got to the location, Sesugh and his suspected cult members opened fire on them. Saying that the operatives returned fire in self-defence, and the group dispersed.
The agency said shortly after the exchange of the gun fire, Sesugh was found lying in the pool of his blood by the roadside. He was rushed to the Police Cottage Hospital at the Police Headquarters in Makurdi where he was pronounced dead.
EFCC said it 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. Adding that preliminary reports of the findings of the Police have also been released to the public.
The agency stressed the dead suspect did not die in custody and was not on bail at any time. Noting that while it expresses its condolences to the family of the deceased suspect, it would not condone any further attack of its Operatives or breach of its internal security by suspects.
EFCC assures that it would continue to act in the best interests of the nation.
