The Controversial Death of Sesugh Atser and the EFCC’s Response
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has found itself at the center of a growing public controversy following the death of 16-year-old Sesugh Atser. The incident, which reportedly took place in May 2026 in the Kansio axis of Makurdi, Benue State, has led to allegations of extrajudicial killing and demands for an independent investigation.
According to the EFCC, its operatives arrested 26 suspected cyber fraudsters on April 28, 2026, at its Makurdi Zonal Directorate. These suspects were later remanded after being taken to court. On May 4, three suspects, including Sesugh, allegedly escaped from the facility after being allowed to use the toilet. They reportedly broke through the toilet roof and fled. The EFCC released images showing what appeared to be a damaged roof with a hole and exposed structure at its holding facility.
On May 21, fresh intelligence led EFCC operatives to a location in Kanshio, where Sesugh was allegedly in hiding. According to the agency, upon sighting the team, Sesugh and suspected cult members opened fire. “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 operatives,” the EFCC stated. However, Sesugh was later seen lying in a pool of blood by the roadside and was taken to the Police Cottage Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The EFCC emphasized that Sesugh did not die in custody and was never granted bail. Despite this, the official account has been met with skepticism and outright rejection. Many users on social media questioned the plausibility of the escape narrative, raising logistical concerns about how three detainees could break through a roof undetected in a secured facility and why no immediate manhunt or public declaration of wanted suspects was issued.
Activist Rinu Oduala wrote, “A 17-year-old boy opened fire? He was first a fraudster, then a cult member who broke a toilet roof and escaped from your own custody, in your own office?” Another user commented, “Everybody allegedly ran away. Then later, the same suspect was ‘sighted lying in a pool of blood by the roadside.’ Did the bullet chase him on its own?”
The victim’s mother, Jennifer Atsar, described her son as a hardworking JSS 3 student who was learning furniture-making and doing menial jobs to support the family. She claimed that EFCC operatives had previously arrested Sesugh but later released him after finding nothing incriminating. However, they allegedly retained his phone and demanded N100,000 for its return.
According to Jennifer, on the day of the incident, a friend came to their house and went out with Sesugh. A few hours later, a neighbor rushed to inform her that her son had been killed. She recounted that two EFCC operatives, dressed in mufti, contacted her son’s friend and asked him to come to a hotel located within the community where they were staying. Upon arriving at the hotel on a motorcycle, Sesugh got down, opened the gate, and they rode inside. One of the EFCC officers drew a gun, causing Sesugh to run and be chased and shot at close range.
The grieving mother insisted that her son was on “bail” and not in custody at the time of the incident. She denied EFCC claims that Sesugh was a fraudster, describing it as a fabrication meant to justify his killing.
EFCC Operations Under Scrutiny
Recent EFCC operations, particularly raids targeting suspected Internet fraud, have drawn criticism over alleged high-handedness, rights abuses, lack of warrants, indiscriminate arrests, and disruption of civilian spaces. Last month, during a raid on the Uyo Teaching Hospital, EFCC operatives reportedly went to authenticate an alleged fake medical report tied to a suspect’s trial. Staff resisted, leading to reports of tear gas being deployed inside the hospital, shots fired, assaults on medical personnel, injuries, damaged phones, and panic among patients and visitors.
The incident prompted an indefinite strike by health workers, threats of a N1bn legal action by the Nigerian Medical Association, and widespread condemnation. In June, operatives also raided two major nightclubs in Akure, Ondo State, arresting over 50 to 127 people, including customers attending events such as a bachelor’s eve. Reports included confiscation of vehicles, laptops, and phones, as well as the alleged removal and destruction of CCTV systems, triggering public outrage, protests by youths demanding releases, and accusations of inhumane treatment.
In Edo State, multiple reports between 2025 and 2026 described midnight and early-morning raids on homes, hostels, and communities suspected of internet fraud. These operations sparked protests at the Edo State House of Assembly, with youths accusing the EFCC of harassment, warrantless arrests, illegal searches, and targeting innocent individuals. Similar protests were reported in Benin City and at Kwara Polytechnic.
