Police Officers Accused Of Killing Final-Year Student, Emmanuella Ahenjir In Benue

A 23-year-old student of Kwararafa University in Taraba, Emmanuella Ahenjir, lost her life after being hit by a stray bullet allegedly fired by a police officer during a routine stop-and-search in Makurdi, Benue State.

The incident happened around 8 a.m. on Friday at the Wurukum roundabout, where police officers from the Benue State Command were conducting checks on vehicles.

Witnesses said one of the officers suddenly opened fire on a commercial vehicle and Emmanuella Ahenjir, who was a passenger, was struck by a bullet that tore through the vehicle.

The final year student was said to be on her way back to school when the shooting occurred.

One of her close friends, Igbor Iorbo, described the event as devastating and called for accountability.

“In the early hours of today, officers from ‘E’ Division shot and killed my friend, Emmanuella. We are not asking for much, just justice.

“The officers involved must be identified and subjected to a transparent investigation. Lives must not continue to be lost at the hands of those meant to protect us. This must stop,” she said.

Another witness shared that Emmanuella, a 400-level Business Management student, was in a Toyota car with a male driver.

According to the witness, when the driver failed to stop immediately, one of the officers allegedly opened fire.

“The girl and a young male driver were in the vehicle around 7:30 a.m. when the incident happened,” the witness said.

“They were driving from the Gyado Villa part of the town and got to Wurukum when Police personnel at the checkpoint suddenly flagged down the Toyota car they were driving in, and when the boy driving the vehicle couldn’t stop the vehicle, the police personnel allegedly opened fire on the car.

“Sadly the girl was hit by bullet, she was rushed to the hospital unfortunately she died from the bullet wound after losing so much blood.”

News of the shooting has sparked public outrage in Makurdi, with various civil society groups threatening to organize protests if the officers involved are not held accountable.

Efforts to get a response from the police spokesperson, CSP Catherine Anene, were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report.

Meanwhile, gender rights advocate Ukan Kurugh criticized the police for not addressing the issue publicly and warned of a mass protest if nothing is done by the weekend.

In a Facebook post, he said, “Enough is Enough: End Police Brutality in Benue State Before We Rise To The Challenge.

“In the early hours of today, officers of the Nigeria Police Force Benue State Police Command, Makurdi E Division tragically shot and k#lled an innocent young girl.

“The incident occurred at Wurukum Roundabout, where a bullet fired by the police pierced through the vehicle she was in.

“We are not asking for much, only justice. The officers responsible must be identified and handed over to the state command for immediate and transparent investigation.

“Lives must not continue to be lost at the hands of those sworn to protect us. This must end now.”

Meanwhile, Nasarawa State Police Command has arrested a 21-year-old female arms runner suspected of transporting ammunition to terrorists operating in parts of the state.