The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has refuted claims that one of its suspects, Asar Michael Sesugh, died in its custody, insisting that he was killed during an encounter with operatives weeks after escaping from detention.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the anti-graft agency said Sesugh was among 26 suspected cybercrime suspects arrested by operatives of its Makurdi Zonal Directorate on April 28, 2026.

According to the Commission, the suspects were profiled and remanded in custody following the procurement of a valid remand order from a Magistrate Court pending further investigations.

The EFCC disclosed that on May 4, three of the suspects requested permission to use the restroom within the holding facility. 

It said the request was granted, but the suspects exploited the opportunity to break through the roof of the toilet and escape from detention.

The agency said several attempts to re-arrest the escapees proved unsuccessful until fresh intelligence on May 21 indicated that Sesugh was hiding within the Kansho area of Makurdi.

"Upon sighting the operatives, Sesugh and his suspected cult members opened fire on the team," the EFCC stated, adding that its operatives returned fire in self-defence.

The Commission explained that all the suspects fled during the exchange of gunfire, but Sesugh was later found lying in a pool of blood by the roadside.

He was immediately taken to the Police Cottage Hospital at the Benue State Police Headquarters in Makurdi, where medical personnel confirmed him dead.

The EFCC said the incident was promptly reported to the Benue State Police Command, which has commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the suspect's death and is also pursuing other fleeing members of the group.

The Commission noted that preliminary findings by the police have already been made public.

While expressing condolences to Sesugh's family, the EFCC stressed that the deceased neither died in custody nor enjoyed bail at any point after his arrest.

"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.

The anti-corruption agency further warned that it would not tolerate attacks on its personnel or breaches of its detention facility, assuring Nigerians of its commitment to carrying out its mandate in the nation's best interest.