A suspected cybercrime suspect, Asar Sesugh, has reportedly died after individuals believed to be his cult associates allegedly engaged operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in a gun battle in Makurdi, Benue State.
Sesugh was one of 26 alleged internet fraud suspects apprehended by the EFCC’s Makurdi Zonal Directorate on April 28, 2026.
According to a statement released on Saturday by the commission’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, the suspects were screened and subsequently remanded in custody based on an order issued by a Magistrate Court.
The EFCC further disclosed that Sesugh, along with two other detainees, escaped from the directorate’s detention facility on May 4 after obtaining permission to visit the restroom.
He noted that repeated efforts to re-arrest them proved unsuccessful.
“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,” he stated.
Oyewale said a breakthrough came on May 21, 2026, when fresh intelligence indicated that Sesugh was hiding in the Kansho axis of Makurdi.
He noted that when operatives moved to the location, Sesugh and his suspected cult associates opened fire on them.
Oyewale said, “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.”
He said the incident had been reported to the Benue State Police Command for investigation.
“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 on 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,” he said.
The EFCC issued the clarification amid claims on social media that Sesugh died while in the commission’s custody.