A viral video showing a police officer allegedly shooting a restrained suspect in Delta State has sparked widespread outrage on social media.
In the less-than-two-minute clip, the suspect, identified as 28-year-old Mene Ogidi, is seen sitting on the ground with his hands tied behind his back.
The visibly distressed man pleaded with officers not to shoot him, claiming he was misled by an associate.
“Officers, abeg, I go tell you everything. Na my friend deceived me. E dey Sapele. I go carry you go the place,” he said in Pidgin English.
Despite the pleas, one of the officers, dressed in mufti, was seen cocking his rifle before shooting directly at the suspect.
The victim immediately collapsed as bystanders watched the incident unfold.
Following the shooting, the officers were seen lifting the body into a Toyota Sienna vehicle marked “The Nigeria Police Force Effurun Area Command, Uvwie.”
Reports indicated that the suspect was allegedly found with a pistol.
Police Confirm Incident, Arrest Officer
Reacting to the development, the Delta State Police Command confirmed the incident.
The command’s spokesperson, Bright Edafe, said the shooting was carried out by an officer identified as Nuhu Usman, which led to Ogidi’s death.
Edafe disclosed that the officer has since been arrested and transferred to the state police headquarters in Asaba for disciplinary action.
The statement reads, “The unfortunate incident occurred when operatives attached to Area Command Effurun received credible intelligence from members of the public regarding the deceased, who was reportedly apprehended while attempting to waybill a parcel containing a Beretta pistol with four rounds of ammunition,” the statement reads.
“Police operatives were promptly deployed to the scene to take the suspect into custody. However, the police officer leading the team, ASP Nuhu Usman, in clear violation of Force Order 237 and the Standard Operating Procedure of the Nigeria Police Force, discharged his firearm, leading to the death of the suspect.
“Upon receipt of the report, the Commissioner of Police directed the Area Commander, Effurun, to immediately arrest ASP Nuhu Usman and transfer him to the State Headquarters, Asaba, for necessary disciplinary action.
“The officer has since been queried and transferred to Force Headquarters, Abuja, where he will appear before the Force Disciplinary Committee, currently in session, for immediate disciplinary sanction and prosecution.
“The Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, CP Yemi Oyeniyi, psc, acipm, mnips, extends his sincere condolences to the family of the deceased, Mene Ogidi, and assures the bereaved family that the Command is fully committed to ensuring that justice is served.”