Pat Stevens/
A 16-year-old suspect who allegedly escaped from the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) by breaking through the roof of a toilet was later killed during a gun battle with operatives attempting to re-arrest him in Makurdi, Benue State, according to the anti-graft agency.
The EFCC gave the account while responding to public interest surrounding the death of Asar Michael Sesugh, insisting that the teenager neither died in custody nor had bail at any point before the fatal encounter.
According to the Commission, Sesugh was among 26 suspected cybercrime suspects arrested on April 28, 2026, by operatives of its Makurdi Zonal Directorate. He was subsequently remanded in custody by a magistrate court pending further investigations.
The agency said the incident that led to his escape occurred on May 4, 2026, when Sesugh and two other suspects allegedly requested permission to use the lavatory at the holding facility. They were granted access but allegedly exploited the opportunity to break through the roof of the toilet structure and escape from detention.
The EFCC said despite efforts to re-arrest the fleeing suspects, they remained at large until fresh intelligence later emerged.
On May 21, 2026, the Commission said it received information that Sesugh was hiding in the Kansho axis of Makurdi. Operatives were immediately deployed to the location to effect his arrest.
However, the EFCC stated that upon sighting the operatives, Sesugh and individuals suspected to be cult members opened fire on the team, prompting a gun battle.
According to the agency, its operatives returned fire in self-defence, after which the suspects fled the scene. Sesugh was later found lying by the roadside with gunshot injuries sustained during the exchange.
He was rushed to the Police Cottage Hospital at the Benue State Police Headquarters in Makurdi, where he was confirmed dead by medical personnel.
The EFCC reported the incident to the Benue State Police Command, which has since commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death.
The Commission added that it is working with the police to apprehend other individuals who allegedly escaped after the confrontation.
While expressing condolences to the family of the deceased, the EFCC maintained that it would not tolerate attacks on its operatives or breaches of security within its facilities, insisting that its personnel acted in self-defence during the encounter.
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