NIGERIA: Escaped Cybercrime Suspect Dies In Gun Battle With EFCC Operatives In Makurdi

By Onoja Baba

An escaped cybercrime suspect identified as Asar Sesugh has died after a gun battle with operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in Makurdi, Benue State.

Sesugh was among 26 suspected internet fraudsters arrested by the EFCC’s Makurdi Zonal Directorate in April and remanded in custody following a court order.

According to a statement issued on Saturday by the EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity Dele Oyewale three suspects including Sesugh escaped from the directorate’s holding facility on May 4 after seeking permission to use the lavatory.

They broke through the toilet roof and fled. Despite repeated efforts the commission was unable to re-arrest them until fresh intelligence on May 21 led operatives to his hideout in the Kansho axis of Makurdi.

Upon the operatives’ arrival Sesugh and his suspected cult associates opened fire on the team forcing the EFCC personnel to return fire in self-defence. The suspects fled during the exchange but Sesugh was later found lying in a pool of his blood by the roadside. He was rushed to the Police Cottage Hospital at the Police Headquarters in Makurdi where he was pronounced dead.

The EFCC has reported the incident to the Benue State Police Command for further investigation.

The commission emphasised that the deceased suspect was neither in custody nor on bail at the time of the confrontation. While expressing condolences to the family of the deceased the EFCC stated it will not tolerate further attacks on its operatives or breaches of its internal security and will continue to act in the best interest of the nation.