Dare Babalola
The Nigeria Police Force has paraded officers dismissed over the killing of a suspect in Effurun, Delta State, assuring Nigerians that justice would be served.
Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Okon Placid, disclosed this on Sunday while briefing journalists at the Force Headquarters in Abuja.
He said the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, directed that the public be kept informed on developments surrounding the case.
The victim, identified as 28-year-old Mene Ogidi, was reportedly killed on April 26, 2026, after being apprehended in Effurun.
According to police findings, Ogidi had received a parcel sent from Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, through a commercial driver. He later took the package to a motor park for onward delivery to Sapele, with the receiver’s details written on it.
The parcel was searched and allegedly found to contain a fabricated Beretta pistol and four rounds of 9mm live ammunition.
Bystanders reportedly arrested Ogidi and alerted the police.
Placid said ASP Nuhu Usman and his team responded to the scene and took custody of the suspect. However, rather than follow standard operational procedures, Usman allegedly shot the unarmed suspect who was already under arrest.
He described the act as unlawful and a clear violation of police rules of engagement.
The police spokesman said the remains of the deceased had been deposited in a mortuary pending autopsy by a certified pathologist, whose report would form part of the prosecution evidence.
He added that an internal investigation by the Police Monitoring Unit found Usman and members of his team culpable of professional misconduct, abuse of office, and actions likely to breach public peace.
“The case file has been forwarded to the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation for vetting and prosecution,” Placid said.
He stressed that the Force would fully cooperate with prosecutors to ensure the matter is pursued to a logical conclusion in court.
Placid also revealed that the driver who transported the parcel from Yenagoa and two vigilante members linked to the incident were still at large.
He said tactical teams had been deployed to track and arrest the fleeing suspects.
Reassuring the family of the deceased, the police spokesman said no officer would be shielded from accountability regardless of rank or position.
He added that the Force remained committed to transparency, justice, and respect for human rights.
The police also urged members of the public to remain calm and continue cooperating with investigators as the case progresses.
