A 17-year-old boy identified simply as Sesugh has reportedly died following an alleged encounter with operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in Makurdi, Benue State.
According to reports that emerged on Friday, the teenager was allegedly linked to an incident involving the Benue State Zonal Command of the anti-graft agency.
Sources claimed that Sesugh and another individual had earlier escaped from EFCC custody after a raid reportedly carried out in their area, during which several persons were arrested and detained at the Commission’s facility.
It was further alleged that while the two were in hiding, EFCC operatives traced them to Gberindyer, a settlement in Makurdi.
Eyewitnesses alleged that upon sighting the operatives, the teenager attempted to flee but was shot in the leg before falling. Residents further claimed that he was allegedly shot again in the chest.
Community members were said to have confronted the operatives at the scene, insisting that the body of the deceased should not be taken away. However, sources alleged that the operatives left the area with the corpse despite the protests.
Family sources also claimed that as of the time of filing this report, relatives of the deceased had not been granted access to see his body. Unconfirmed reports indicated that the corpse was taken to the Benue State Police Command clinic.
The incident has since sparked reactions among residents, with many calling for clarification over the circumstances surrounding the teenager’s death.
As of the time of this report, the EFCC Zonal Command in Makurdi had yet to issue an official statement regarding the allegations.