Police Begin Probe As Final-Year Student Dies From Stray Bullet In Benue
A final-year student of Kwararafa University, Wukari, Taraba State, Ahenjir Emmanuella, has been confirmed dead after being hit by a stray bullet reportedly fired by a police officer during a stop-and-search operation in Makurdi, Benue State.
According to eyewitnesses, the incident occurred around 11 am on Friday near Wurukum Roundabout when officers allegedly opened fire on a commercial vehicle conveying passengers, including the deceased.
The incident sparked outrage among friends and family members of Emmanuella, who accused the police of recklessness and demanded justice.
A close friend of the deceased, Igbor Iorbo, said Emmanuella was returning to school when the shooting happened and called for the officers responsible to be identified and held accountable.
She said, “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. As I speak with you, the police adamantly refuse to speak about the situation.”
In response, the spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, Catherine Anene, issued a statement late Friday saying that officers were deployed around 4 am to Duku Park, Wurukum, after receiving a distress call.
The statement read in parts, “The police were on the trail of the vehicle until about 10 am Friday when information was received that a lady named Emmanuella Ahenjir, a student of Federal University, Wukari, Taraba state, had died at Benue State University Teaching Hospital from a gunshot. Upon arrival at the hospital, the detectives were briefed about the deceased, and the corpse was deposited at the hospital morgue for autopsy. One Apase Keghter, who was also an occupant of the vehicle, was seen at the hospital and invited for questioning.”
Anene stated that the police had initially flagged down the vehicle, but the driver fled through the opposite lane and allegedly opened fire on the officers.
She said, “The police team flagged down a vehicle coming from Benue Links area within Wurukum, adding that the driver, rather than stop, turned back and drove through the opposite lane, shooting sporadically at the team.”
She added that Keghter, during questioning, narrated how he and the deceased had gone to club at Newcastle Event Centre and were returning when they bypassed the checkpoint but denied that anyone in the vehicle shot at the police.
Anene said the Commissioner of Police in the state, Emenari Ifeanyi, has ordered a detailed investigation into the case. He assured friends and family of the deceased of his commitment to unravel the truth and ensure that the rule of law prevails.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
