An escaped cybercrime suspect, Asar Sesugh, has died after his suspected cult associates allegedly opened fire on operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Makurdi, Benue State.
Sesugh was among 26 suspected cyber fraudsters arrested by operatives of the EFCC’s Makurdi Zonal Directorate on April 28, 2026.
In a statement issued on Saturday by the commission’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, the EFCC said the suspects were profiled and remanded in custody following a court order obtained at a Magistrate’s Court.
Oyewale said Sesugh and two other suspects escaped from the directorate’s holding facility on May 4 after requesting permission to use the lavatory.
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.
