Nigeria Police Leadership Acts on Extrajudicial Killing Case
The Nigeria Police leadership has initiated the immediate dismissal of Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Nuhu Usman and several other officers involved in the extrajudicial killing of unarmed civilian Mene Ogidi in Delta State. This move came after disciplinary proceedings were completed by the Military Discipline Commission and the Order Room Court at the military headquarters in Abuja.
While the police force has made its recommendation, it clarified that the final dismissal must be sanctioned by the Police Service Commission (PSC) to comply with statutory requirements. Furthermore, all officers found culpable will be referred to the appropriate judicial authorities for criminal prosecution on charges related to unlawful killing.
Speaking to journalists in Abuja, Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu condemned the actions of the involved officers, emphasizing that they distinctly breached established operational directives, including Mandatory Order 247, which governs firearm usage. He asserted that wearing a uniform does not confer the right to unlawfully take lives.
Disu characterized the April 26, 2026, incident in Efurun, Delta State, as both tragic and unacceptable, stating that ASP Nuhu Usman had fundamentally betrayed his oath of office. He described the officer’s conduct as not only criminal but also unprofessional, which is incompatible with the standards expected of the Nigeria Police Force.
Upon being informed of the incident, Disu promptly ordered the transfer of all implicated officers from the Delta State Command to the military headquarters in Abuja to facilitate an expedited and impartial investigation. As a result, officers were subject to military disciplinary measures without unnecessary delay.
ASP Usman and other senior officers faced trial at the Military Discipline Commission, while three inspectors were processed at the Order Room Court. Disu noted that investigations conclusively demonstrated that Usman violated Mandatory Order 247 and the standard operational procedures that guide police behavior.
The IGP reaffirmed that no legal justification exists for extrajudicial killings, stressing that the fundamental responsibility of the police is to safeguard lives and property, rather than extinguishing them. Commenting on the case’s outcome, Disu indicated that both the Military Discipline Commission and the Order Room Court have recommended the immediate termination of all officers involved, with formal recommendations to follow for the Police Commission’s final approval and subsequent prosecution.
In addition, the Police Commission released a statement strongly condemning the extrajudicial killing of the 28-year-old Mene Ogidi by officers from the Efurun Area Command. This statement, authored by the Director of Protocol and Public Relations, Torti Kalu, highlighted that such actions are in violation of Nigerian law and international humanitarian standards, including provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and various legislative acts governing law enforcement conduct.
The Commission praised the Delta State Commissioner of Police for taking prompt disciplinary action against the officers involved, which included suspensions and injunctions pending thorough investigations. It also extended condolences to Ogidi’s family while urging the public to remain calm as the judicial process unfolds.
