Final-year student killed during police stop-and-search operation

A tragic incident in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, has claimed the life of Ahenjir Emmanuella, a 400-level student of Kwararafa University, Wukari in Taraba State, who was reportedly struck by a stray bullet fired by a police officer.

The fatal shooting occurred around 8 a.m. on Friday at Wurukum roundabout, where officers from the Benue State Police Command were conducting a stop-and-search operation.

Eyewitnesses recounted that one of the officers opened fire on a commercial vehicle transporting several passengers. Emmanuella, who was among them and reportedly en route back to school, was hit by the bullet which penetrated the vehicle.

Reacting to the incident, a close friend of the deceased, Igbor Iorbo, voiced her grief and demanded accountability.

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“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.

Echoing the call for justice, human rights and gender advocate Ukan Kurugh condemned the police silence on the matter and urged authorities not to ignore the killing.

He warned that failure to name the officer responsible by the weekend could lead to mass protest.

He said, “If the alleged perpetrator was not named by the weekend, there would be ‘a mother of all peaceful protest’ in Makurdi.”

Efforts to get a response from the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Catherine Anene, were unsuccessful as of press time.

(DAILY TRUST)