The Inspector-General of Police, Rilwan Olutunji Disu, has ordered immediate disciplinary action against officers involved in the fatal shooting of a civilian, Mene Ogidi, in Effurun, Delta State.
Speaking during a press briefing at the Force Headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday, the IGP described the incident as “criminal, unprofessional, and completely unacceptable,” stressing that the conduct of the officers does not represent the values of the Nigeria Police Force.
According to him, the officer at the centre of the incident, Assistant Superintendent of Police, ASP Nuhu Usman, acted in clear violation of Force regulations guiding the use of firearms.
“The officer involved acted in gross 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,” the IGP said.
He disclosed that immediately after receiving the report, all officers connected to the incident were transferred from the Delta State Command to the Force Headquarters for disciplinary proceedings.
“The Force Disciplinary Committee, alongside the Orderly Room Tribunal, investigated the matter and confirmed serious breaches of operational procedures and unlawful conduct,” he stated.
The police chief further revealed that the disciplinary panel recommended the dismissal of ASP Nuhu Usman and other implicated officers, as well as their prosecution for unlawful homicide.
“Both the FDC and the tribunal recommended the dismissal of ASP Nuhu Usman and other implicated officers from the Force. Upon dismissal, they will be handed over to the appropriate judicial authorities to face criminal charges for unlawful homicide,” he added.
Disu said the recommendations have already been forwarded to the Police Service Commission for final ratification.
Reaffirming the stance of the Force against misconduct, the IGP declared that no officer would be shielded from accountability.
“The Nigeria Police Force 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 extended condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased, assuring them that justice would be served.
“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,” the IGP assured.
He also appealed for calm in Delta State and across the country, urging members of the public to avoid taking the law into their own hands.
“The era of impunity is over. We are demonstrating that every citizen, regardless of their uniform, is accountable under the law,” he said.
