The Inspector-General of Police (IG), Olutunji Disu, on Wednesday ordered the dismissal and disciplinary action against officers of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) involved in the shooting in Effurun, Delta State, which led to the death of a civilian, Mene Ogidi.
Disu made this known while briefing reporters at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, where he described the incident as “criminal, unprofessional, and completely unacceptable,” adding that it does not reflect the standards or values of the NPF.
Also, former Anambra State Governor/Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has condemned the extrajudicial killing of Mene, describing the act as a violation of the rule of law.
In a statement, Obi stressed that modern society is founded on the principle that no individual should be deprived of life without due process and a fair determination of guilt.
The Nigerian Bar Association, (NBA), too condemned the alleged extrajudicial killing of a suspect by police officers in Delta State, describing the act as a violation of the rule of law and a dangerous abuse of power.
According to the IG, the officer at the centre of the incident, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Nuhu Usman, acted in violation of established procedures and Force Order 247 governing the use of firearms.
“Let me be clear: this action was criminal, it was unprofessional, and it has no place in the Nigeria Police Force,” he stated.
He explained that upon receiving the report, he ordered the transfer of the officers involved from the Delta State Command to Force Headquarters in Abuja, where they were subjected to internal disciplinary processes without delay.
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 IG said the FDC and tribunal recommended the dismissal of 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,” he said, adding that the recommendations have been forwarded to the Police Service Commission (PSC) for final ratification.
Reiterating the position of the Force, Disu emphasised that the actions of the officers were personal breaches of discipline and did not represent the institutional standards of the Nigeria Police Force.
