Delta killing: IG orders dismissal, prosecution of officers

The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has approved the dismissal and criminal prosecution of officers involved in the fatal shooting of a suspect in Effurun, Delta State.

PUNCH Metro earlier reported that the shooting occurred on Sunday, when police operatives attached to the Area Command in Effurun acted on intelligence from members of the public.

The command had earlier stated on Tuesday that the deceased, Mene Ogidi, 28, was arrested while attempting to send a parcel suspected to contain a Beretta pistol with four rounds of ammunition.

In a statement on Wednesday signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Placid, the police said the decision followed the conclusion of disciplinary proceedings into the April 26, 2026, incident that led to the death of 28-year-old Mene Ogidi.

According to the Force, all officers connected to the incident were immediately withdrawn from the Delta State Command and transferred to the Force Headquarters in Abuja, where they underwent expedited disciplinary processes.

“Findings established unequivocally that the principal officer, ASP Nuhu Usman, acted in gross violation of Force Order 237 and other extant regulations governing the use of firearms.

“His actions were unlawful, unprofessional, and a clear betrayal of the oath to protect life and uphold the law,” the statement read.

The committee subsequently recommended the immediate dismissal of Usman and other officers found culpable, a decision approved by the Inspector-General of Police and forwarded to the Police Service Commission for ratification.

The Force added that upon completion of administrative procedures, the affected officers would be handed over to the appropriate judicial authorities for prosecution.

Reiterating its position, the police said, “No uniform confers the right to take life outside the provisions of the law,” stressing that any officer who violates this principle would face disciplinary and legal consequences.

It also assured that the process would be transparent, stating that “the Force is fully committed to ensuring that justice is not only served but seen to be served”.

The police extended condolences to the family of the deceased, assuring them that the incident would not be treated lightly.

Meanwhile, the spokesperson for the Delta State Police Command, Bright Edafe, disclosed that the principal suspect may face murder charges.

Edafe disclosed while featuring on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Wednesday.

He said, “I am very sure that he will have his day in court and face murder charges. I may not speak for the top hierarchy of the Force, but I am certain that is the direction this is going. As we speak, he has been moved from Asaba to Benin and then to Abuja for further investigation.

“There is an ongoing process under the Force Disciplinary Committee, and I believe we will hear the outcome soon. He alone can explain what happened, and he will face the consequences.

“Every suspect has a right to life. Nobody has a monopoly on violence. You cannot go about killing people simply because you are armed to protect life and property.

“The issue of dress code being mentioned also relates to the surveillance team attached to the Effurun Area Command.”

Describing the incident as inexplicable, Edafe maintained that there was no justification for the shooting.

He said, “That policeman, I just don’t understand what could have gone wrong with him. The police cannot attribute issues to spirituality, but that may not be far-fetched, because that’s the only explanation one can give for what he did.”

The video has since sparked widespread outrage across social media and news platforms, raising further concerns about police brutality in Nigeria.