Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Tragedy struck Makurdi, Benue State on Thursday evening as a police inspector identified as Otor Ejiga was shot dead by unknown gunmen while on duty, prompting a heightened security response and deepening concerns about the precarious security situation in the region. Inspector Ejiga was killed near the Mega Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Camp along Gbajimba Road, a location frequently associated with displaced civilians seeking refuge from violence across parts of Benue State.
Eyewitness accounts and official reports indicate that the officer was operating a solitary checkpoint near the camp that had not been authorised by his command when the assailants struck. The motive behind the targeted killing remains unclear, and investigations are ongoing to determine whether it was a deliberate ambush or part of a broader security threat.
The assailants reportedly opened fire on Inspector Ejiga at close range, fatally wounding him before fleeing the scene. In the chaos that followed, the attackers made off with his service rifle, identified as a Type O6 firearm, raising fears that the stolen weapon could be used in further criminal activities against security forces or civilians.
A patrol unit from the Benue State Police Command responded to the distress call shortly after the shooting and recovered Ejiga’s lifeless body near the checkpoint. His remains were subsequently transported to the Benue State University Teaching Hospital mortuary in Makurdi for autopsy and forensic examination as part of the official investigation into the circumstances of his death.
Security agencies in Benue have launched an intensive manhunt for those responsible. Tactical teams have been deployed throughout strategic routes and neighbouring communities in and around Makurdi in a bid to apprehend the perpetrators and recover the stolen rifle. These efforts underscore the priority placed on responding to violent attacks on state security officers, reflecting ongoing pressures on policing operations in the region.
The brutal killing of Inspector Ejiga has also triggered an internal probe within the police command. Authorities have initiated a comprehensive investigation into the incident, with specific attention on whether proper protocols were followed in deploying officers to strategic locations and whether adequate supervision was provided. Reports indicate that the officer in charge of the division where Ejiga was posted has been formally queried as part of efforts to establish whether any supervisory negligence contributed to the circumstances that allowed the attack to occur.
Residents and security analysts alike have expressed grave concerns about the implications of the killing, particularly in a state that has endured recurrent episodes of violence and instability. Benue State, located in Nigeria’s central region known as the Middle Belt, has for years faced heightened tensions linked to armed herder-farmer conflicts, banditry, and communal clashes that have displaced thousands and resulted in significant loss of life. Historical incidents in various local government areas illustrate the broader environment of insecurity authorities are trying to manage.
The killing of Inspector Ejiga is the latest in a series of violent encounters involving security personnel in Nigeria, where police officers and soldiers are routinely targeted by criminal groups and militias, often amid efforts to assert control over key transport routes, rural communities, and displaced populations. While this specific incident involved a single officer at an unauthorised checkpoint, the swift launch of search operations and internal disciplinary measures reveals how seriously Nigerian security agencies are treating attacks on their ranks.
Colleagues of the slain officer have paid tribute to Ejiga’s service, describing him as a dedicated and hardworking law enforcement official committed to protecting civilians and maintaining order under challenging conditions. Tributes have also come from local leaders and community members who decried the attack as an affront not only to the police force but to the peace and security of residents in Makurdi and surrounding areas.
The operation to apprehend the gunmen and recover the stolen rifle continues, with police sources indicating that any credible leads, including tips from community residents, are being followed. Meanwhile, Benue State’s security architecture remains on high alert, with additional patrols and checkpoints instituted along key corridors to deter further violence and reassure the public.
The killing of Inspector Otor Ejiga highlights the persistent risks faced by security personnel in volatile regions of Nigeria and underscores the complex interplay between criminality, community vulnerability, and the ongoing struggle to safeguard displaced civilians and frontline officers alike.
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