Nigerian Army Shoots Benue Student in Katsina-Ala, leaving community shaken as residents demand a thorough investigation

Tsavnav Gabriel, a student of NKST Secondary School in Sai, Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State, was reportedly shot by personnel of the Nigerian Army on Wednesday evening during a troop movement through the community.

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The incident occurred as soldiers were returning from Tse Jato, where the troops had escorted the body of a man allegedly killed by suspected Fulani herdsmen. Residents said Tsavnav Gabriel was struck by a bullet as the convoy passed through Sai under circumstances that remain unclear.

Tsavnav Gabriel was immediately rushed to a local clinic in Sai, where medical staff began treatment. The precise condition of the student had not been officially confirmed by health authorities as of Thursday morning.

Family sources disclosed that the household of Tsavnav Gabriel had earlier been displaced by the persistent security crisis affecting parts of Katsina-Ala. The latest development has therefore compounded anxiety within the community.

The incident in which the Nigerian Army Shoots Benue Student has prompted urgent calls from residents for a transparent and comprehensive investigation. Community leaders urged the military authorities to clarify the chain of events and take responsibility if any wrongdoing is established.

Efforts to obtain confirmation from Udeme Edet, spokesperson of the Benue State Police Command, were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report.

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The shooting has intensified tension in Katsina-Ala, a locality that has faced recurring security challenges in recent months. Residents described the episode as alarming and appealed for decisive measures to prevent further harm to civilians.