EFCC claims 17-year-old cybercrime suspect died in shootout, but family says he was murdered in cold blood

By Felicia Odom 6.6.2026
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the family of a deceased 17-year-old student Michael Sesugh Asar have disagreed on what led to his tragic death on May 21, 2026.
According to the EFCC Asar was arrested on April 28 on suspicion of being involved in cybercrime, but on May 4, he and two other suspects escaped from custody under the pretense of easing himself. But on May 21 the EFCC agents located him and tried to arrest him, but his cult member group opened fire on them.
“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,” said EFCC head of media and publicity Dele Oyewale in a statement on Saturday.
“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.
“While the EFCC expresses its condolences to the family of the deceased suspect, it will not condone any further attack on its operatives or breach of its internal security by suspects.
He debunked claims that Sesugh died in the EFCC custody.
“The Commission wishes to state clearly that the dead suspect did not die in custody and was not on bail at any time.
However, his mother Jenifer Asar a single mother of five has rejected the EFCC version of events. She alleged that her son was not a criminal but a hard-working student.
She alleged that her son was previously arrested and released by the EFCC and then asked to pay N100,000 to collect his phone that was seized. She stated that the EFCC has not allowed her to see the body of her son.
Also, according to a relative, Philip Udo, the EFCC’s claim their son was traced to a hideout was not true as residents of the area deny there was any shootout in the area.
The proprietress of the school he attends said there was no indication Asar was into crime noting that his mother had arranged to pay his school fees in instalments.