The suspects allegedly broke through the roof of the toilet facility.
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has provided details surrounding the death of Asar Michael Sesugh, one of three suspects who escaped from its custody in Makurdi, Benue State, insisting that he neither died in detention nor was he granted bail at any time.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the anti-graft agency said it was compelled to address what it described as misconceptions regarding recent events involving its Makurdi Zonal Directorate.
According to the Commission, 26 suspected cyber fraudsters were arrested by operatives on April 28, 2026, and subsequently remanded in custody following the procurement of a valid remand order from a Magistrate Court.
The EFCC disclosed that on May 4, three of the suspects requested permission to use the facility’s lavatory and were allowed to do so. However, the suspects allegedly took advantage of the opportunity to escape after breaking through the roof of the toilet facility.
The Commission stated that despite several attempts to track and re-arrest the escapees, the efforts initially proved unsuccessful.
It explained that fresh intelligence received on May 21 indicated that one of the fugitives, Asar Michael Sesugh, was hiding within the Kansho area of Makurdi.
The agency said a team of operatives was immediately deployed to the location.
“Upon sighting the team, Sesugh and his suspected cult members opened fire on them,” the EFCC said.
The Commission added that its operatives responded in self-defence.
“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.”
According to the statement, Sesugh was later discovered by the roadside with gunshot injuries.
“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.”
The EFCC said the matter was immediately reported to the Benue State Police Command, which has since commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
It added that preliminary findings from the police investigation have already been made public, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the suspected cult group.
The Commission further stressed that the deceased suspect was neither in custody nor enjoying bail at the time of his death.
“The Commission wishes to state clearly that the dead suspect did not die in custody and was not on bail at any time,” the statement said.
While expressing sympathy to the family of the deceased, the EFCC maintained that it would not tolerate attacks on its personnel or breaches of security within its facilities.
“While the EFCC expresses its condolences to the family of the deceased suspect, it will not condone any further attack of 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.”
