The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Rilwan Olutunji Disu, has directed immediate disciplinary measures against officers of the Nigeria Police Force involved in the fatal shooting incident in Effurun, Delta State, which resulted in the death of a civilian, Mene Ogidi.
He made this known during a press briefing at the Force Headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday, where he condemned the incident as “criminal, unprofessional, and totally unacceptable,” stressing that it falls far below the standards and ethics of the Nigeria Police Force.
According to him, “The officer at the centre of this incident, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Nuhu Usman, acted in clear violation of established procedures and Force Order 247 on the use of firearms.
“Let me state clearly: this conduct is criminal, it is unprofessional, and it has no place in the Nigeria Police Force,” he said.
The IGP further explained that upon receiving the report, he ordered the immediate transfer of all officers involved from the Delta State Command to the Force Headquarters in Abuja. He added that they were promptly subjected to internal disciplinary procedures in line with police regulations.
“The Force Disciplinary Committee (FDC), alongside the Orderly Room Tribunal, subsequently investigated the matter, with the proceedings confirming violations of operational procedures and unlawful conduct”.
The IGP disclosed that “both the FDC and the tribunal recommended the dismissal of ASP Nuhu Usman and other implicated officers from the Force, in addition to criminal prosecution for unlawful homicide.
“Upon dismissal, all officers will be handed over to the appropriate judicial authorities to face criminal charges for unlawful homicide”.
Disu added that the recommendations have been forwarded to the Police Service Commission (PSC) for final ratification.
Reiterating the position of the Force, the IGP emphasised that the actions of the officers were personal breaches of discipline and did not represent the institutional standards of the Nigeria Police Force.
“The NPF is an institution built on the rule of law, and we have zero tolerance for lawlessness within our ranks. No uniform is a license to kill,” he said.
He expressed deep condolences to the family of the deceased, Mene Ogidi, and assured them that justice would be pursued transparently and decisively.
“I extend my deepest condolences to the family, friends, and community of the late Mene Ogidi. A life has been lost, and no statement can fill that void. But I give you my word: justice will not only be done, but it will also be seen to be done,” he stated.
He also appealed for calm in Delta State and across the country, urging citizens not to resort to self-help, while reaffirming the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to accountability and internal reform.
“The era of impunity is over. We are demonstrating that every citizen, regardless of their uniform, is accountable under the law,” the IGP added.
Backstory…
A police officer in Delta State, ASP Nuhu Usman, was involved in a shooting incident in Effurun that led to the death of a civilian, Mene Ogidi. The incident sparked public outrage and internal review within the Nigeria Police Force. Following investigations, the Inspector-General of Police ordered disciplinary action and moved to dismiss the officer over what was described as a gross violation of firearm rules and professional conduct.
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