Nigerian Police Hand Over Officers Involved in Extrajudicial Killing to Attorney General for Prosecution
The Nigeria Police Force has escalated its response to the shocking extrajudicial killing of a handcuffed suspect in Delta State by handing the case file of the implicated officers to the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) for prosecution. This move follows the dismissal of the officers involved, including Assistant Superintendent of Police Nuhu Usman, after a viral video captured the incident, sparking national outrage.
The victim, identified as 28-year-old Mene Ogidi, was reportedly executed by Usman and three other officers attached to the Effurun Division in Delta State. The officers were filmed shooting Ogidi, who was handcuffed and unarmed, in a blatant violation of police protocols and human rights.
A Tragic Chain of Events
According to Force spokesperson Anthony Okon, who addressed reporters in Abuja on Sunday, the incident began when Ogidi received a parcel from a friend in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State. The parcel, delivered by a driver, allegedly contained a fabricated Beretta pistol and four rounds of 9mm live ammunition. Witnesses who became suspicious of the content alerted the police after Ogidi attempted to waybill the parcel to Sapele.
“Rather than follow established police rules of engagement and standard operational procedures, Usman shot and killed the unarmed, already-apprehended suspect,” Okon stated, condemning the officers’ actions as a severe breach of duty.
The dismissal of Usman and his team was ratified by the Police Service Commission, which cited professional misconduct and abuse of office. The officers are now awaiting prosecution after the case file was formally transferred to the AGF’s office.
Manhunt for Fleeing Suspects
In addition to prosecuting the officers, the Police Force has launched a manhunt for other individuals linked to the case. These include the driver who delivered the parcel from Yenagoa and two members of a local vigilante group who were reportedly involved in the initial apprehension of Ogidi.
Okon assured the public that the Police Force is committed to ensuring justice is served. “We have deployed tactical teams to ensure the arrest and prosecution of the fleeing suspects,” he said. He also emphasized that the Force would cooperate fully with the AGF’s office to bring the case to a logical conclusion.
A Call for Accountability
The incident has reignited conversations about police brutality and extrajudicial killings in Nigeria, a persistent issue that has drawn widespread condemnation from human rights groups and citizens alike. The dismissal and prosecution of the officers mark a significant step toward accountability, but many are calling for broader reforms to prevent such atrocities in the future.
The case of Mene Ogidi serves as a grim reminder of the urgent need for transparency and adherence to due process within Nigeria’s law enforcement agencies. As the legal proceedings unfold, the public will be watching closely to see whether justice is truly served.
— Reported by Nexio News
