Published by Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Nigeria Police Force has dismissed Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Nuhu Usman, the officer who shot and killed 28-year-old Mene Ogidi in Effurun, Delta State, on April 26, 2026, following an expedited disciplinary process ordered by the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu. The Force Disciplinary Committee (FDC), which reviewed the case after all officers connected to the incident were withdrawn from the Delta State Command and transferred to Force Headquarters in Abuja, found that Usman acted in gross violation of Force Order 237 and other extant regulations governing the use of firearms. The committee described his actions as "unlawful, unprofessional, and a clear betrayal of the oath to protect life and uphold the law."
In a statement issued on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Okon Placid, announced that the FDC had recommended the immediate dismissal of ASP Nuhu Usman and other officers found culpable. The Inspector-General of Police approved the recommendations and forwarded them to the Police Service Commission for ratification in line with due process. Upon completion of the administrative procedures, the affected officers will be handed over to the appropriate judicial authorities for prosecution for their roles in the extrajudicial shooting. The statement did not specify the number of other officers dismissed or the exact nature of their involvement, but it confirmed that all officers linked to the incident had been subjected to expedited disciplinary proceedings.
The shooting, which occurred on April 26, 2026, was captured in a viral video that sparked nationwide outrage. The footage showed Ogidi seated on the ground with his hands tied behind his back, pleading in Pidgin English: "Officer I beg, I go tell you everything. Na my friend deceive me. E dey Sapele. I go carry you go the place." Despite his pleas and his obvious helplessness, ASP Usman, dressed in civilian clothes, cocked his rifle and shot the victim twice, including a final shot to the head at close range. The killing reignited long-simmering anger over police brutality and extrajudicial executions in Nigeria, drawing comparisons to the #EndSARS protests of 2020.
The IGP, in the statement, reiterated the Nigeria Police Force's zero-tolerance stance on extrajudicial actions and abuse of power. "No uniform confers the right to take life outside the provisions of the law," the statement read. "Any officer who violates this fundamental principle will face the full weight of disciplinary and legal consequences." Disu extended his deepest condolences to the family of Mene Ogidi, acknowledging the pain and loss suffered, and assured the family that the incident would not be treated lightly. "The Force is fully committed to ensuring that justice is not only served but seen to be served, in a manner that reinforces public confidence and institutional accountability," the statement added.
The dismissal and pending prosecution of ASP Usman represent a rare instance of swift internal police action following a high-profile killing. In previous cases, officers accused of extrajudicial shootings often faced prolonged internal investigations or were quietly redeployed without consequence. The decision to withdraw all officers involved and conduct expedited proceedings at the Force Headquarters suggests a deliberate effort by the current IGP to signal a break from past impunity.
Human rights activists, including Harrison Gwamnishu, who helped bring the viral video to public attention, cautiously welcomed the development but demanded transparency and a public trial. "Dismissal is a start, but the officer must face murder charges in an open court. The family and the nation deserve to see justice done," Gwamnishu said.
The Police Service Commission is expected to ratify the dismissal, after which the case will be transferred to the Federal Ministry of Justice for prosecution. The officers could face charges of murder or culpable homicide, which carry severe penalties under Nigerian law.
The family of Mene Ogidi, who had buried their son days earlier, expressed a mix of relief and scepticism. "They took his life. Now we want to see the man who pulled the trigger in a courtroom. Not in a police cell, but in a courtroom where the world can watch," a relative told local media. The case has drawn international attention, with Amnesty International Nigeria calling for the prosecution to be conducted transparently and for all other officers present at the scene to be held accountable.
The statement from the Force Public Relations Officer also urged the public to remain calm and law-abiding, assuring that the Nigeria Police Force remains steadfast in its commitment to discipline, professionalism, and the protection of the rights and dignity of all citizens while ensuring accountability at all levels. The dismissal and prosecution of ASP Nuhu Usman and other officers involved in the Effurun shooting will be closely watched as a test of the police force's ability to police itself and deliver justice in cases of lethal use of force. For now, the family of Mene Ogidi waits, and the nation watches.
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