The Benue State Police Command has confirmed the death of Emmanuella Ahenjir, a final-year student of Federal University, Wukari, Taraba State, following a shooting incident in Makurdi. The police claim they fired in self-defense after being shot at first.

According to a statement issued by CSP Anene Sewuese Catherine, the Police Public Relations Officer for Benue State, the incident occurred in the early hours of Friday, May 16, 2025, at approximately 4:00 a.m.

"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. The police responded with a shot, but the driver drove away," the statement read.

The police were reportedly pursuing the vehicle when, at about 10:00 a.m., they received information that Ahenjir had died at Benue State University Teaching Hospital from a gunshot wound. Detectives were immediately dispatched to the hospital, where the body was deposited in the morgue for autopsy.

One of the vehicle's occupants, identified as Apase Keghter, was found at the hospital and taken in for questioning. According to the police statement, Keghter provided a different account of the events.

"Mr. 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 checkpoint without stopping, but did not shoot," the statement continued. "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."

The police noted that Keghter's belongings, the vehicle involved in the incident, and other occupants have not been located.

Benue State Commissioner of Police, CP Emenari Ifeanyi, has ordered a detailed investigation into the case. The police statement emphasized that the Commissioner "assures friends and family of the deceased of his commitment to unravel the truth and ensure that the rule of law prevails."

The conflicting accounts from the police and the surviving passenger raise questions about the circumstances surrounding the shooting. While authorities maintain they acted in self-defense after being fired upon, Keghter denies that anyone in their vehicle shot at the officers.

This incident comes amid growing concerns about police conduct during stop-and-search operations across Nigeria. The investigation is ongoing, and further updates are expected as more information becomes available.