EFCC: Death of 16-year-old suspect sparks questions as EFCC reveals what happened

The death of 16-year-old Sesugh Atser during an operation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has triggered public outrage and renewed scrutiny of the agency’s enforcement tactics, with many Nigerians demanding an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The teenager reportedly died in May 2026 in the Kanshio area of Makurdi, Benue State, after an encounter involving EFCC operatives.

His death has since generated allegations of extrajudicial killing, with critics questioning the commission’s account of events.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the EFCC maintained that Sesugh was not killed in custody and outlined what it described as the chain of events that led to his death.

According to the commission, operatives arrested 26 suspected cybercrime suspects on April 28, 2026, during an operation conducted by its Makurdi Zonal Directorate.

The suspects were subsequently profiled, arraigned and remanded by a court.

The anti-graft agency said Sesugh and two other detainees escaped from custody on May 4 after being granted access to a toilet facility.

The commission claimed the trio broke through the roof of the toilet and fled. To support its account, the EFCC published images on its X handle showing what appeared to be a damaged roof structure at its detention facility.

The agency further stated that intelligence received on May 21 led operatives to a hideout in the Kanshio area where Sesugh was allegedly staying.

According to the commission, the operation turned violent when the teenager and other suspected cult members allegedly opened fire on EFCC personnel.

“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.

“However, Sesugh was later sighted lying in a pool of 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 commission stated.

The EFCC stressed that the deceased was neither granted bail nor in its custody at the time of the incident.

Despite the explanation, the commission’s account has been met with widespread scepticism on social media, particularly on X and Facebook, where many users questioned how three detainees allegedly escaped from a secured facility without immediate detection.

Critics also queried why no public alert or declaration of the escapees as wanted persons was issued after the reported jailbreak.

The controversy comes amid growing concerns over the conduct of some EFCC operations across the country.

In recent months, the agency has faced criticism over allegations of rights violations, indiscriminate arrests and the use of force during enforcement actions targeting suspected internet fraudsters.

One of the most controversial incidents occurred at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, where EFCC operatives reportedly visited to verify a medical report linked to an ongoing investigation.

The operation allegedly degenerated into a confrontation with hospital personnel, prompting accusations of assault, intimidation and disruption of medical services.

The incident led to an indefinite strike by health workers, condemnation from professional bodies and threats of legal action by the Nigerian Medical Association.

Similarly, EFCC operations in Ondo State earlier this year drew criticism after scores of people were arrested during raids on entertainment venues in Akure, with some residents alleging excessive force and wrongful arrests.

Notorious Cult leader linked with multiple killings arrested by Police officers

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested a suspected cult leader, Emmanuel Nwokolo, and three other suspects over alleged involvement in a string of deadly cult-related attacks that have rocked parts of Ojo Local Government Area.

Nwokolo, whom police identified as a chairman of the Aiye Confraternity, was apprehended alongside Ayoola Israel, Ebuka Nnamdi and Chinedu Okafor during a tactical operation in the Ajangbadi area.

The arrests followed a directive by the Commissioner of Police, Fatai Tijani, amid renewed violence linked to rival cult groups in Ajangbadi, Shibiri and Ilogbo communities.

Residents of the affected areas have long associated periodic outbreaks of violence with dates such as May 5, June 6 and July 7, periods often linked to supremacy battles between rival cult factions.

Police sources said the operation was based on intelligence gathered from previous attacks and crime scenes in the area. Investigators reportedly tracked Nwokolo to a hotel in Ajangbadi, where he was arrested alongside another suspect.

The arrest subsequently led to the apprehension of two other suspects believed to have served as armourers for the group. Police also recovered firearms and ammunition allegedly concealed after the principal suspect’s arrest.

According to investigators, the gang has been linked to more than 10 killings across communities in Ojo Local Government Area.

During interrogation, Nwokolo allegedly admitted being a member of the cult group and confessed to participating in four killings involving rival cult members.

“Yes, I am a member of the Aiye cult group. I am into internet business. I was introduced to the Aiye Confraternity by my friend, Hurry, who is now late. He told me to join the NBM if I wanted to make it in life, but I have not seen any improvement since I joined,” he reportedly told investigators.

He further stated: “I only participated in the killing of four people. The first was Soweto, a member of the Eiye Confraternity. We lured him under the pretence of buying hard drugs. Four of us, Emma, Paragon, Santa and myself, carried out the operation. I was the one recording the killing.

“There was another person we killed because his group allied with Eiye. David identified him. The third victim was also an Eiye member. Emma and David usually identified our targets.

“Whenever we carried out these killings, I could not sleep. It haunted me emotionally.”

Police said several other suspects identified as David, Emma, Paragon, Fela, Santa and Awilo remain at large and are being tracked.

One of the arrested suspects, Ayoola Israel, denied taking part in any killings but admitted storing weapons for the group.

“I am not one of the leaders of the gang. I only helped to keep the guns and bullets for the group,” he said.

“I was forced to keep the guns and bullets by one of the leaders, Emma. I did not follow them to any scene of killing, but I know the group killed some Eiye members.”

The 39-year-old also claimed he was persuaded to join the group with promises of gaining access to influential individuals.

“I was initiated into the NBM with a promise that I would have the opportunity to relate with top and influential people. That was why I agreed to join. When the police came to my house, they recovered 11 bullets and a revolver pistol,” he added.

JUST IN; Five persons confirmed dead in expressway lo accident

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has confirmed the death of a female child and four male passengers in a lone road accident in Ebonyi on Friday morning.

The Sector Commander of the FRSC in Ebonyi , Daniel Asanya, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abakaliki that the accident occured at the Nkalagu axis of the Enugu-Abakaliki federal highway.

Asanya said that the affected vehicle was enroute Enugu from Abakaliki and crashed at the Edema bridge, Nkalagu in Ishielu Local Government Area (LGA) of Ebonyi.

“The commercial bus, a white coloured Toyota Hiace bus with Registration Number: RSH 231 XE; had 17 passengers on board.

“The passengers consist of 12 males, four females and one female child.

“Five persons died in the crash: four males and one female child while 12 persons were injured: eight males and four females” he said.

He noted that the crash was caused by speed violation as items recovered from the crash scene include: three phones, two personal effects on sac bags and quarter bag of rice.

“The injured were taken to Annunciation Hospital Emene Enugu for treatment while the dead have been deposited in the morgue.

“We advise drivers to always drive with caution especially with construction and maintenance work on the Enugu–Abakaliki highway.

“Drivers should also realise that roads would always be maintained and this is for public good,” he said.

Asanya also advised the construction firm handling work on the road to place “illuminating signs’ on the road to alert motorists of ongoing works. (NAN)