The Benue State Police Commissioner, Dr. Ifeanyi Emenari, has ordered a full investigation into the fatal shooting of Emmanuella Ahenjir, a 200-level Business Management student at Federal University Wukari, by police personnel during a stop-and-search operation in Makurdi.
The incident occurred early Friday in the Wurukum area when unidentified officers opened fire on a vehicle carrying the student. The shooting has sparked public outrage, with civil society organizations threatening mass protests if justice is not served by next Tuesday.
In an official statement, the Benue State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, CSP Catherine Anene, confirmed the Commissioner had initiated a probe into the matter, vowing to uncover the truth and ensure justice prevails.
The police account stated: “On May 16, 2025 at about 4am a radio message was received from a Police team deployed at Duku park, Wurukum that the team flagged down a vehicle coming from Benue Links area but the driver turned back, drove through the opposite lane shooting sporadically at them but they responded with a shot and the driver drove away.”
The statement continued: “The police were on the trail of the vehicle until about 10am this morning when information was received that a lady named Emmanuella Ahenjir, student of Federal University, Wukari, Taraba State, had died at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital from a gunshot.”
Police detectives subsequently visited the hospital where the victim’s body was deposited for autopsy. They interviewed Apase Keghter, a surviving occupant of the vehicle, who provided a conflicting account of events.
“Mr. Apase stated that they had gone for club activities and were on their way back when they drove on the opposite lane and passed the checkpoint without stopping but did not shoot,” the police statement revealed. “They were shot by the police but they drove to Welfare Quarters area with the victim. They stopped when they noticed a flat tyre and called a commercial vehicle that took them to the hospital.”
The police noted that Keghter’s belongings, the vehicle involved, and other occupants remain missing. Commissioner Emenari has assured the deceased’s family and the public of his commitment to a thorough investigation, emphasizing that “the rule of law prevails” in the matter.
The incident has intensified scrutiny of police operations in the state, with civil society groups demanding accountability for the young student’s death.