The Benue State Police Command has launched a full-scale investigation into the fatal shooting of Emmanuella Ahenjir, a 400-level student of Kwararafa University, Taraba State.
She was allegedly killed during a police stop-and-search operation in Makurdi.
The incident occurred on Friday at the Wurukum roundabout, involving officers attached to the E Division of the command.
According to a police statement, the officers had attempted to stop a vehicle reportedly coming from the Benuelinks area.
The driver allegedly turned around, drove against traffic and opened fire on the officers, prompting a return of gunfire.
However, reports confirmed that Emmanuella, one of the passengers in the vehicle, died from a gunshot wound at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital.
Detectives dispatched to the hospital found another passenger, Apase Keghter, who was taken in for questioning.
Keghter contradicted the police account, stating that he and others had attended a night outing at the Newcastle Event Centre and mistakenly drove on the wrong side of the road, bypassing a police checkpoint.
He denied that any shots were fired from their side and alleged that police opened fire without provocation.
Keghter said the group only realised the car had a flat tyre after fleeing the scene and had arranged a commercial vehicle to transport the injured Emmanuella to the hospital.
Unfortunately, she was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
Reacting to the tragedy, activist Ukan Kurugh described the incident as an “unacceptable loss of innocent life,” calling it another example of extrajudicial action by security personnel.
“This must not be swept under the carpet,” he said.
In response, the commissioner of Police, CP Emenari Ifeanyi, assured the public that a thorough and impartial investigation is underway.
He pledged that the command would get to the root of the matter and ensure that justice is served for the victim and her family.
