The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has approved the dismissal and criminal prosecution of police officers implicated in the fatal shooting of a 28-year-old suspect in Effurun, Delta State.
The incident, which occurred on April 26, 2026, involved operatives attached to the Effurun Area Command who reportedly acted on intelligence provided by members of the public. The victim, identified as Mene Ogidi, was said to have been arrested while attempting to send a parcel allegedly containing a Beretta pistol and four rounds of ammunition.
In a statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, Anthony Placid, the police said the decision followed the conclusion of disciplinary proceedings into the shooting.
According to the statement, all officers connected to the incident were immediately withdrawn from the Nigeria Police Force Delta State Command and transferred to the Force Headquarters in Abuja, where they underwent expedited disciplinary procedures.
The findings, the Force said, established that the principal officer, ASP Nuhu Usman, acted in clear violation of Force Order 237 and other regulations guiding 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 noted.
The disciplinary committee recommended the immediate dismissal of Usman and other culpable officers, a decision now awaiting ratification by the Police Service Commission. Upon completion of administrative processes, the
affected officers are expected to be handed over to judicial authorities for prosecution.Reaffirming its stance, the police stressed that no officer has the right to take life outside the provisions of the law, adding that any breach would attract both disciplinary and legal consequences. The Force also assured the public of a transparent process, emphasizing its commitment to ensuring justice is served.
The police extended condolences to the family of the deceased, assuring them that the matter would not be treated lightly.
Meanwhile, the spokesperson for the Delta State Police Command, Bright Edafe, indicated that the principal officer involved may face murder charges.
Speaking during an appearance on The Morning Brief, Edafe said the officer had been moved from Asaba to Benin and subsequently to Abuja for further investigation.
“I am very sure that he will have his day in court and face murder charges,” he said, adding that the officer would be required to account for his actions.
Edafe maintained that there was no justification for the shooting, stressing that every suspect has a right to life and that law enforcement officers are bound to protect, not unlawfully take, lives.
He described the incident as troubling and difficult to explain, noting that the circumstances surrounding the shooting remain under investigation.
The incident has sparked widespread outrage across social media, further intensifying concerns about police conduct and the use of force in Nigeria.
