A viral video showing a police officer allegedly shooting a restrained suspect in Delta State has ignited public outrage and drawn swift action from the Nigeria Police Force. The incident, which occurred in Effurun, involved 28-year-old Mene Ogidi, who was reportedly apprehended while attempting to waybill a parcel containing a Beretta pistol with four rounds of ammunition. In the less-than-two-minute footage, Ogidi is seen sitting on the ground with his hands tied behind his back, pleading with officers not to shoot him. He cried out in Pidgin English, “Officers, abeg, I go tell you everything. Na my friend deceived me. E dey Sapele. I go carry you go the place,” but was shot anyway by an officer in mufti who cocked his rifle and fired directly at him.
The suspect collapsed immediately after being shot, and bystanders watched in shock as the officers later lifted his body into a Toyota Sienna marked “The Nigeria Police Force Effurun Area Command, Uvwie.” The video quickly spread across social media platforms, sparking widespread condemnation from Nigerians who questioned the use of lethal force against a restrained individual. Many called for accountability, demanding justice for Ogidi and reforms in police conduct.
In response, the Delta State Police Command confirmed the incident through its spokesperson, Bright Edafe. He identified the officer involved as ASP Nuhu Usman, who was leading the team that apprehended Ogidi. According to Edafe, the officer violated Force Order 237 and the Nigeria Police Force’s Standard Operating Procedure by discharging his firearm. The command stated that the suspect was apprehended based on credible intelligence from the public, but the use of lethal force was unjustified under the circumstances.
Following the shooting, the Commissioner of Police, CP Yemi Oyeniyi, ordered the immediate arrest of ASP Nuhu Usman. The officer was transferred to the state police headquarters in Asaba and later moved to Force Headquarters in Abuja to face the Force Disciplinary Committee. The committee is currently in session and will handle his disciplinary sanction and prosecution. The police also extended condolences to Ogidi’s family, assuring them that justice will be served.
This incident has reignited national debates about police brutality and accountability in Nigeria. As investigations continue, the public is closely watching how authorities handle the case, with many hoping it will lead to meaningful reforms in law enforcement practices. The shooting of a restrained suspect, especially under circumstances where no immediate threat was evident, has raised serious concerns about the use of excessive force and the need for stricter oversight within the police force.
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