Tragedy at Makurdi: 400-Level Student Shot Dead by Police During Stop-and-Search in Benue

 

Tragedy struck at Wurukum Roundabout in Makurdi, Benue State, where a young university student, identified as Ella, reportedly lost her life in a hail of gunfire allegedly discharged by officers of the Nigeria Police Force.

The victim, a 400-level undergraduate of Kwararafa University, Taraba State, was said to be inside a vehicle that encountered officers conducting a stop-and-search operation. According to multiple accounts, police personnel attached to the Makurdi E Division opened fire on the vehicle for reasons yet to be officially explained. One of the bullets fatally struck Ella, cutting short what was meant to be a promising academic journey.

Eyewitnesses and human rights advocates are decrying the incident as another example of the excessive use of force by law enforcement agencies in Nigeria. The killing has sparked outrage, especially among youth and students, who view the tragedy as an extension of a troubling pattern of police brutality that continues to plague the country.

Human rights activist Ukan Kurugh was among the first to raise alarm over the shooting. In a public statement shared on social media, Kurugh condemned the incident, describing it as “another unacceptable loss of innocent life.” He stressed the need for immediate investigation and accountability, calling on both state and federal authorities to ensure that justice is served.

Ella’s death has triggered fresh calls for police reform and has reignited memories of the 2020 #EndSARS protests, where thousands of Nigerians marched against the extrajudicial killings and harassment by police units. Many believe that despite official promises of reform, incidents like this reveal that little has changed on the ground.

Attempts to obtain clarification from the Benue State Police Command have so far yielded limited results. When contacted by a correspondent from Daily Post, the Public Relations Officer, Catherine Anene, replied via text message, stating simply, “I will call you back.” No follow-up statement had been issued as of the time this report was filed, leaving the public and the victim’s family in a state of anguish and uncertainty.

The silence from police authorities has further intensified public frustration. Social media platforms have been flooded with tributes to Ella, alongside expressions of anger and demands for accountability. Hashtags such as #JusticeForElla and #StopPoliceKillings are gaining momentum as citizens seek justice through public advocacy and online campaigns.

Community leaders and student unions are also stepping into the fray. Several student organizations from Kwararafa University and other tertiary institutions in the region have issued statements mourning Ella and urging the government to take decisive action. Some have hinted at plans for peaceful demonstrations if justice is delayed or denied.

Legal experts argue that such incidents highlight the urgent need to retrain and reorient security operatives on rules of engagement, especially during civilian interactions like vehicle searches. The deployment of deadly force in such routine encounters, they say, is both unlawful and unnecessary.

Ella’s untimely death now joins a grim tally of young Nigerians whose lives have been snuffed out under questionable circumstances involving law enforcement. Her story is a painful reminder of the urgent need for accountability, transparency, and a complete overhaul of Nigeria’s policing system.

As her family prepares to mourn their daughter, whose future was cruelly stolen, the nation watches and waits—hoping this time, justice won’t be buried alongside the victim.