The tragic killing of 23-year-old Emmanuella Ahenji, a student of the Business Management at Federal University Wukari, in Taraba State by men of the Nigeria Police Force, Benue State Command in Makurdi has generated public outrage particularly on social media.
It was gathered that the deceased student went out with some friends on Thursday night, and were returning home in the early hours of Friday and on arriving at Wurukum Roundabout met a police checkpoint, while the driver of the car took the other side of the road without stopping when police operatives were said to have flagged down the vehicle for a routine check.
Sources said it was at that point that one of the officers allegedly opened fire which struck and killed the victim.
Civil rights activist, Ukan Kurugh took to his social media handles saying enough is enough and it’s time to end police brutality in the State.
He issued a one-week ultimatum to the police, demanding public disclosure of the identities of the officers involved and warned that failure to comply by Tuesday next week would result in a total shutdown of Makurdi the capital with peaceful protests.
“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.
“We will not relent. We will not be silenced. Justice must be served, and those responsible must be held accountable,” Kurugh said.
He urged the Benue State Commissioner of Police to act swiftly, stating that the people have exhausted peaceful and lawful channels to seek justice.
“If we continue to be ignored, we will respond differently,” he warned.
The incident has sparked a wave of condemnation on social media with citizens joining the call for justice and accountability.
The State Police Command says it has ordered a detailed investigation into the case assuring friends and family of the deceased of its commitment to unravel the truth and ensure that the rule of law prevails.
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A statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, Sewuese Anene says at about 4am a radio message was received from a police team deployed at Duku Park, in Wurukum area of Makurdi. The team had 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 but the driver drove away.
Anene further explained that 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 Benue State University Teaching Hospital from a gunshot.
“Upon arrival at the hospital, the detectives were briefed about the deceased and her corpse 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.
Apase stated that they had gone for club activities at Newcastle Event Centre and were on their way back when they drove on the opposite lane and passed the check point without stopping but did not shoot.
They were shot by the police but they drove to Welfare quarters with the victim.
They stopped when they noticed a flat tyre and called a commercial vehicle that took them to the hospital.
His belongings, the exhibit car and other occupants of the said vehicle are nowhere to be found at the moment.”the statement read in part.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
