The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the mother of a 16-year-old boy, Sesugh Atsar, have given conflicting accounts over the circumstances surrounding his death in Makurdi, Benue State, following his arrest in a fraud-related investigation.
According to a detailed interview published by The Punch Newspaper on June 6, 2026, the boy’s mother, Ms Jennifer Atsar, alleged that EFCC operatives killed her son after he had previously been arrested in connection with alleged internet fraud and later released on bail. She claimed that despite being out on bail, he was later lured by individuals she identified as EFCC operatives in mufti, after which he was shot at close range during what she described as an attempted arrest.
In her account, Ms Atsar said her son had earlier been detained alongside others, and that his phone was withheld pending payment before his release. She further alleged that days before his death, her son told her he had been previously released due to lack of evidence. She is demanding the release of his body and a full investigation into the circumstances of his death.
The EFCC, in a separate statement provided through its spokesperson Dele Oyewale and also published by The Punch, rejected the claim that the teenager was killed while on bail or in lawful custody. The commission stated that the suspects involved in the case were part of a group arrested on April 26, 2026, on suspicion of internet fraud and were taken into EFCC custody in Makurdi.
According to the EFCC’s account, three suspects allegedly escaped from custody on May 5, 2026, after reportedly climbing through a toilet roof. The agency said a manhunt was launched, and intelligence later located them in a community area. The EFCC further stated that its operatives came under fire during an attempt to re-arrest the escapees, and that a gun duel ensued in which one of the suspects was fatally shot. The commission maintained that its operatives acted in self-defence and reported the incident to the police for investigation.
The EFCC also rejected the assertion that the deceased was on bail at the time of the incident, insisting instead that he had escaped from lawful custody prior to the encounter that led to his death. The agency stated that investigations by the police were ongoing following the incident.
Multiple independent reports confirm that the case has triggered public concern, particularly over the age of the deceased, the circumstances of the arrest, and the use of lethal force during the operation. Human rights observers and legal analysts quoted in local reporting have called for transparency, especially regarding custody records, medical reports, and the sequence of events leading to the shooting.
The case remains under scrutiny as official investigations continue, with both sides maintaining opposing versions of events. At the time of reporting, no court ruling or independent forensic report has been released to conclusively establish the exact circumstances of the teenager’s death.
Authorities have not announced any disciplinary action or prosecution, and the police inquiry referenced by the EFCC has not yet published findings.
The incident adds to ongoing national debate in Nigeria over law enforcement use of force, custodial procedures, and accountability in financial crime investigations, particularly involving young suspects.
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