The Benue State Police Command has explained the circumstances surrounding the death of one Atser Sesugh following an encounter with operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC).

In a Sunday statement, the police said a report made available to Benue State Commissioner of Police indicated that Sesugh had been detained alongside James Onuh and Solomon Aondoakura Orhena on April 28 by operatives of the Makurdi Zonal Command of EFCC in a fraud and cybercrime case under investigation.

However, the trio escaped lawful custody on May 4 and went into hiding.

The police further disclosed that at about 3:00pm on May 23, the EFCC received credible information that the fleeing suspects had been sighted at their hideout behind Mechanic Village, Kanshio, Makurdi.

“Upon arrival at the scene, operatives sighted a group of young men suspected to be cultists who opened fire on the EFCC operatives and escaped during an exchange of gunfire that followed.

“While retreating from the scene, after exchanging fire with the hoodlums, the EFCC operatives sighted one of the escapees, Atser Sesugh, lying in the pool of his blood by the roadside.

“The suspect was immediately picked and taken to the Police Cottage Hospital Makurdi by the operatives where he was confirmed dead,” the statement signed by Benue police spokesman, DSP Udeme Edet read in part.

Edet said the Sesugh’s corpse has been deposited at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital mortuary for preservation and autopsy.

The police spokesman said fhe Commissioner of Police has directed the DC CID to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.

“Efforts are also ongoing to apprehend the other fleeing fugitives,” the statement further reads.

The Benue State Commissioner of Police assured the public of a thorough investigation and reiterated the command’s commitment to upholding the rule of law. (Text, excluding headline: The Sun)