Human rights activist Harrison Gwamnishu has expressed deep anguish over the death of 16-year-old Sesugh Atser in Makurdi, Benue State, who was fatally shot during an encounter with operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The incident, which took place in May 2026 in the Kanshio area of Makurdi, has sparked accusations of extrajudicial killing and renewed calls for an independent investigation from Nigerians on social media.
Gwamnishu Reacts to the Tragic Incident
In a video posted on Instagram on Sunday, June 7, 2026, Gwamnishu shared his grief and frustration. He explained that he came across the news online early in the morning. “My name is Harrison Gwamnishu. This is 6:39 AM Sunday morning. I just woke up and I just go through my social media and the first thing I am seeing is this that EFCC killed a 16-year-old boy in Makurdi,” he said.
The activist lamented the frequency of such disturbing reports in Nigeria, criticizing the EFCC’s explanation that Sesugh had escaped custody and later engaged in a gunfight. “Now EFCC dey deny say the boy escaped from their custody. The boy escaped from custody, and then there was exchange of gunfire between the boy and his friend and the EFCC. And that was where the boy was shot and killed, and then he was taken to the hospital. All this news no supposed to dey happen like this na.”
Gwamnishu stressed that fraud charges should never be a death sentence. “This is terrible. This is bad news. A 16-year-old. Now in Nigeria, you don hear say dem sentence for death sentence for fraud? A sentence for fraud is not a death sentence.”
EFCC’s Account of the Incident
Following the backlash on social media, the EFCC released an official statement on Saturday, June 7, 2026, detailing its version of events. According to the anti-graft agency, its operatives had arrested 26 suspected cyber fraudsters on April 28, 2026, at the Makurdi Zonal Directorate. On May 4, three suspects allegedly broke through the roof of the detention facility and escaped. Acting on intelligence, operatives tracked one of the escapees, Sesugh, to Kanshio on May 21.
The EFCC claimed that Sesugh and suspected cult members opened fire, forcing operatives to return fire in self-defense. The commission stated that Sesugh was later found bleeding by the roadside and taken to the Police Cottage Hospital in Makurdi, where he was pronounced dead. The EFCC emphasized that Sesugh was not in custody at the time of his death and had never been granted bail. The matter has been reported to the Benue State Police Command, which has launched an investigation while pursuing the other fleeing suspects.
Police Invite Harrison Gwamnishu
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Gwamnishu shared an update after attending a court hearing for late singer Mene Ogidi in Asaba. He displayed a letter from the Delta State Police Command inviting him over serious allegations including attempted murder and incitement to terrorism. Despite the serious accusations, the activist confidently assured his followers that the law enforcement agency possessed nothing incriminating against him.
