The Benue State Police Command has claimed that the occupants of the vehicle in which Ella, a 400-level university student, was killed in Makurdi, Benue state, on Friday, first shot at them (police operatives) before they responded.
CSP Anene Sewuese Catherine, Police Public Relations Officer, Benue State Police Command, in a statement, said the incident occurred in the early hours of Friday, May 16, 2025.
According to her, at approximately 4:00 a.m., a radio message was received from a patrol team stationed at Duku Park, Wurukum, reporting a suspicious encounter.
She said, “On 16/5/2025 [at] about 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 police were on the trail of the vehicle until about 10:00 a.m. this morning when information was received that a lady named Emmanuella Ahenjir, a 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 the corpse was 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.
“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.
“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.
“CP Emenari Ifeanyi has ordered a detailed investigation into the case. He assures friends and family of the deceased of his commitment to unravel the truth and ensure that the rule of law prevails.”
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