Emmanuella Ahenjir, a 23-year-old Federal University Wukari final-year student, has been buried in her hometown of Ushongo Local Government Area in Benue State. She was allegedly shot and murdered by a police officer during a stop-and-search operation in Makurdi.
Recall that on May 16, 2025, in the Wurukum roundabout in Makurdi, Ahenjir was killed when police officers allegedly opened fire on the car she was riding in.
When the motorist did not quickly obey the stop signal, witnesses claimed that the officers opened fire on the vehicle.
After being hit by a bullet, Emmanuella passed away at a nearby hospital from her wounds.
Outrage over her death spread throughout the state and beyond, leading to nonviolent demonstrations in Makurdi.
Protesting for justice for the dead student and an end to police brutality, civil society organizations and concerned citizens marched through the streets.
Demonstrators demanded that authorities hold the implicated police accountable during the protests, holding placards with slogans like “End Police Brutality Now” and “Justice for Emmanuella.”
Since then, the Benue State Police Command has begun looking into the event and has vowed to hold anyone involved accountable if proven guilty.
