By Jimmy Fatunbi
Thirty-five-year-old Jennifer Atsar is struggling to come to terms with the death of her 16-year-old son, Sesugh, who was allegedly shot dead by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in Makurdi, Benue State, on May 23, 2026. In this interview with Saturday PUNCH, she recounts the events leading to his death, rejects allegations levelled against him, and demands justice.
Can you tell us about yourself?
My name is Jennifer Atsar. I am 35 years old and live in the Kanshio area of Makurdi. I am the mother of Sesugh, the boy who was allegedly killed by EFCC operatives.
What do you do for a living?
I make a living by frying and selling garri. That is how I provide for my children. My son also supported the family whenever he found work at construction sites.
How many children do you have?
I have five children, and Sesugh was my first child. He was 16 years old and would have turned 17 on December 26 this year.
What was your son doing before the incident?
He lived with me and combined his education with vocational training. He was learning furniture-making and was also a student of New Educational Teaching Academic College in Makurdi. He had completed JSS 3 and was preparing to move to SSS 1.
Because of our financial challenges, he often took up menial jobs to support me and help care for his younger siblings while continuing his apprenticeship.
It was alleged that your son had earlier been arrested by the EFCC. What do you know about that?
At the time of the alleged arrest, I was not at home because I was at the hospital with my youngest child, who was sick. When Sesugh returned, he told me he had been released by EFCC officials but that they seized his phone and instructed him to bring N100,000 before it would be returned.
What happened afterwards?
On the day he was killed, he was at home with me when a friend came to see him. The two later left together. A few hours later, a neighbour rushed to my house with the devastating news that my son had been shot dead.
What were you told about the circumstances surrounding his death?
According to what I was told, two EFCC operatives who were dressed in plain clothes invited my son’s friend to a hotel in the area where they were staying.
My son accompanied his friend on a motorcycle. When they arrived, Sesugh got down to open the gate and they entered the premises. One of the officers allegedly brought out a gun immediately they saw them. My son reportedly became frightened and ran. The officers chased him and allegedly shot him at close range.
Witnesses said the officials initially attempted to leave the scene, but residents insisted they could not abandon the victim. Even after he was shot, my son was reportedly calling out the name of the officer who shot him while struggling to breathe. He asked for water before he was eventually taken away.
Did you visit the police or EFCC offices after the incident?
I visited the B Division Police Station and later the state police command, but I could not obtain clear information. At first, I did not know the EFCC was involved. It was only later that people informed me that an EFCC operative was allegedly responsible.
To date, the EFCC is still holding my son’s body. I have not seen his remains, and no official has contacted me or provided any explanation.
Two days before his death, my son told me he had been arrested but released because they found nothing incriminating against him. He was not in custody when he was killed.
What explanation did the EFCC give?
Relatives, neighbours and the furniture-maker under whom my son was apprenticed later visited the EFCC office. They told me the head of the state office claimed that officers were on an undercover operation and alleged that my son and his friend attempted to attack them.
I found the allegation unbelievable. My son never possessed a firearm. I cannot imagine where he would have obtained one.
They also told me that EFCC officials claimed my son confessed to involvement in internet fraud and admitted operating an OPay account.
Were there other allegations against him?
Yes. I was informed that they accused him of impersonating a woman on Facebook, engaging in drug sales and belonging to a cult group. I strongly believe these allegations were fabricated after his death to justify what happened.
Anyone who knew my son can testify to his character. He was humble, hardworking and respectful.
The officials also claimed he had escaped from their custody after being arrested. But my son personally told me he had been released and instructed to bring N100,000 before his phone would be returned.
He only operated an OPay account and did not even have a Bank Verification Number. How then could he have been involved in the financial activities they accused him of?
My son was not a criminal. He worked hard and used whatever little he earned to support me and his siblings.
What is your appeal to the authorities?
I am still waiting to see my son’s body. He was a source of support and encouragement to me and his younger brothers and sisters.
We live in very difficult conditions, yet he always encouraged me to remain hopeful. Whenever I cried about our situation, he would tell me that things would improve with God’s help.
Now that dream has been cut short. I want the authorities to release his body so that we can give him a proper burial.
Above all, I want justice. The officer who shot my son should be identified and held accountable. My son reportedly mentioned the officer’s name before he died. Those responsible must face the consequences of their actions
