The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has provided details of the circumstances surrounding the death of 16-year-old suspect, Sesugh Michael Atsar, insisting that he neither died in custody nor enjoyed bail before his death.
The clarification follows allegations by the teenager’s mother, Jennifer Atsar, who claimed that her son had been granted bail and was later killed by EFCC operatives after they allegedly demanded money from him.
Responding to the claims, the anti-graft agency said Atsar escaped from its detention facility alongside two other suspects before he was later involved in a gun battle with operatives attempting to re-arrest him.
In a statement titled “Setting the Records Straight on Citizen Asar Michael Sesugh’s Death,” EFCC spokesman, Dele Oyewale, said the teenager was among 26 suspected cybercrime suspects arrested by operatives of the commission’s Makurdi Zonal Directorate on April 28, 2026.
According to the EFCC, the suspects were detained after a Magistrate Court issued a remand order to allow investigators continue their probe into the alleged offences.
The commission explained that on May 4, 2026, three of the suspects requested permission to use the restroom within the detention facility. While there, they reportedly damaged part of the facility by breaking through the roof of the toilet and escaped from custody.
The EFCC stated that several attempts were made to track down the escapees, but the efforts initially proved unsuccessful.
The agency said a breakthrough came on May 21 when intelligence reports revealed that Atsar was hiding in the Kanshio area of Makurdi, Benue State. Acting on the information, operatives moved to the location to apprehend him.
However, the commission alleged that upon sighting the operatives, Atsar and some suspected cult members opened fire on the EFCC team, leading to an exchange of gunfire.
According to the statement, the suspects fled during the confrontation. Shortly afterward, Atsar was found by the roadside with gunshot wounds and was immediately taken to the Police Cottage Hospital located within the Benue State Police Headquarters in Makurdi.
Medical personnel later confirmed him dead.
The EFCC said it promptly reported the incident to the Benue State Police Command, which has since launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the teenager’s death. The police are also said to be pursuing other suspects who escaped from the scene.
The commission emphasized that Atsar was never released on bail and was not in its custody at the time of the incident.
While extending condolences to his family, the EFCC maintained that it would not tolerate attacks on its personnel or breaches of security at its facilities, adding that it remains committed to carrying out its mandate in accordance with the law.
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