A 21-year-old computer science student from Nasarawa State University was shot by police officers following his alleged refusal to pay a N200,000 bribe. The incident, which occurred in Abuja’s Kubwa district, has sparked fresh debates about law enforcement conduct and accountability in Nigeria’s capital.
Ikechukwu Godwin, a 200-level student, fell victim to the shooting at a police checkpoint in FO1, a residential layout within the Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory. The incident unfolded around 7 PM on Saturday when what began as a routine stop escalated into violence, according to accounts provided by the victim’s father.
The confrontation reportedly began moments after Godwin alighted from a commercial tricycle, known locally as Keke Napep. According to his father’s detailed account, more than five police officers surrounded the young student, immediately accusing him of being an internet fraudster – a serious allegation that has become increasingly common in police interactions with young Nigerians.
Despite Godwin’s protests of innocence and allowing the officers to search his phone, which yielded no evidence of wrongdoing, the situation escalated when the officers allegedly handcuffed him and demanded a N200,000 payment. The victim’s father recounted how his son was given his phone back to make calls in an attempt to raise the demanded sum, but his inability to secure the money reportedly led to tragic consequences.
The confrontation took a violent turn when one of the officers, allegedly frustrated by what they termed as time-wasting, shot Godwin in the leg, causing him to fall into a nearby gutter. In a disturbing development that raises serious questions about police conduct, the officers reportedly fled the scene immediately after the shooting, leaving their victim wounded.
The young student’s life was potentially saved by the intervention of local motorcycle taxi riders, commonly known as Okada riders, who discovered him and transported him home. Medical examination has revealed the severity of his injuries, with doctors confirming that the bullet broke two bones in his leg. Godwin remains hospitalized as he receives treatment for these serious injuries.
This incident has drawn attention from police authorities, with some officers visiting the hospital to gather information about the shooting. They have reportedly promised to investigate the matter, though skepticism remains given past handling of similar cases. Attempts by journalists to get official comment from the FCT police command spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, have been unsuccessful, with promised callbacks remaining unfulfilled at the time of reporting.
The shooting adds to a growing list of incidents involving alleged police brutality and extortion in Nigeria, particularly targeting young people. Such encounters have become increasingly common, with law enforcement officers often using accusations of internet fraud as a pretext for harassment and extortion attempts.
This case bears hallmarks of familiar patterns in police-civilian interactions in Nigeria: the targeting of young people, accusations of cyber-crime without evidence, demands for large sums of money, and the use of excessive force when demands are not met. The incident has particularly troubling implications given its occurrence in the Federal Capital Territory, raising questions about police conduct even in areas under direct federal oversight.
The shooting has already begun to draw attention from civil society organizations and human rights activists, who continue to call for comprehensive police reform in Nigeria. The incident occurs against the backdrop of ongoing concerns about police brutality, despite previous promises of reform following the nationwide #EndSARS protests that highlighted similar issues of police misconduct.
As Godwin receives medical treatment, his case adds to the urgent conversation about law enforcement reform, accountability, and the need for better training and oversight of police officers. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the continuing challenges facing Nigeria’s law enforcement system and the urgent need for meaningful reform to prevent similar incidents in the future.
