Sesugh didn’t die in our custody, says EFCC

By Luminous Jannamike

ABUJA — The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Saturday denied claims that Asar Michael Sesugh died in its custody, insisting that Sesugh, who had escaped from detention weeks earlier, was neither in its custody nor on bail when he died.

The clarification came as questions persisted over the circumstances surrounding Sesugh’s death, prompting the anti-graft agency to give its account of how a suspect who escaped from custody weeks earlier was later found dead after a reported exchange of gunfire with operatives in Makurdi, Benue State.

The position was contained in a statement signed by the EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, and titled, ‘Setting the Records Straight on the Death of Citizen Asar Michael Sesugh.’

“The Commission wishes to state categorically that the deceased suspect did not die in EFCC custody and was not on bail at any time,” Oyewale said.

According to the Commission, Sesugh was among 26 suspected cybercrime suspects arrested by operatives of its Makurdi Zonal Directorate on April 28, 2026. The suspects were profiled and remanded by a Magistrate Court pending further investigation.

The EFCC said three of the suspects escaped from custody on May 4 after requesting permission to use the lavatory at the Directorate’s holding facility.

“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,” the statement said.

According to the EFCC, fresh intelligence received on May 21 indicated that Sesugh was hiding in the Kanshio area of Makurdi, prompting operatives to move to the location.

“Upon sighting the team, Sesugh and his suspected cult members opened fire on them,” Oyewale stated.

The Commission said its operatives returned fire in self-defence, after which all members of the group, including Sesugh, fled the scene.

The EFCC said Sesugh was later found by the roadside in a pool of blood following the exchange. He was immediately taken to the Police Cottage Hospital at the Benue State Police Headquarters in Makurdi, where he was pronounced dead.

The agency said it subsequently reported the incident to the Benue State Police Headquarters, which has opened an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the suspect’s death and is also pursuing the other fleeing members of the group.

The Commission also said preliminary findings from the police investigation had already been released to the public.

While extending condolences to Sesugh’s family, the EFCC maintained that it would continue to protect its personnel and facilities against attacks and security breaches.

“It will not condone any further attack on its operatives or breach of its internal security by suspects,” Oyewale said.

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