Dare Babalola
Security expert, Jackson Lekan Ojo, has called for a comprehensive overhaul of recruitment and operational procedures within the Nigeria Police Force, following the extrajudicial killing of a suspect, Mene Ogidi, in Delta State.
Recall that the 28-year-old was shot dead on Sunday by Assistant Superintendent of Police Nuhu Usman after the suspect was found in possession of a firearm he allegedly went to collect at a motor park in the state.
Despite reportedly offering to lead the officers to the actual owner of the weapon, Usman, in a viral video, shot the suspect twice, killing him instantly.
The incident has sparked outrage among Nigerians, who are now calling for an open trial.
Speaking to NEWSTELLERS on Wednesday, Ojo raised concerns over recruitment practices, lack of personnel vetting, and absence of routine psychological and integrity checks for officers.
He warned that failures at the recruitment stage often lead to deeper security challenges within the system.
According to him, “Number one, how do you recruit the police? Do you profile them before you recruit them? Do you recruit the police officer that really want to serve as police officer, or do you recruit those people that there is no job anywhere, so if there is opening in the police, let them go and join?”
He argued that poor recruitment processes sometimes introduce individuals with criminal tendencies into law enforcement, worsening insecurity rather than solving it.
“You erroneously recruit them into the Nigerian police, it is like you now criminalize the criminality. It is now that a hardened criminal has just been given all the audacity to perpetrate criminality as a uniform man, as a law enforcement agent,” he said.
Ojo also criticised what he described as political interference in recruitment, alleging that recommendations from political actors contribute to the enlistment of unsuitable candidates.
“We must provide them, not just political leaders sending lists of their political talks to the police, at the end of the day, it will be a menace to the people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he added.
The security expert further questioned the absence of structured personnel evaluation systems within the force, including mental health, drug, and behavioural assessments.
“Do we do staff audit in Nigeria? No, no staff audit. That is to say, no officers’ personal audit,” he said.
He lamented the lack of psychological and drug testing for officers, insisting such gaps weaken discipline and accountability within the force.
“How many times in Nigeria have you seen police officers arranged to do drug test, alcoholic test, psychoactive test? When last did you hear that? So nothing like staff audit,” he stated.
Ojo maintained that periodic audits would help identify “the weak, the bad and the ugly” within the system, allowing for reforms and better recruitment standards.
He also referenced the recent Delta incident, suggesting that deeper investigative lapses may have contributed to the outcome.
“What happened in Delta State, the officer may have acted because he believed allowing the suspect to speak further would expose others. But that has now closed the case forever,” he said.
He warned that failure to fully investigate such cases encourages impunity and prevents authorities from uncovering wider criminal networks.
Meanwhile, his comments come as the Nigeria Police Force confirmed the fatal shooting of Ogidi in Effurun, Delta State, and ordered disciplinary proceedings against Usman, who allegedly discharged his weapon in violation of rules of engagement.
The Force has since condemned the incident, ordered an investigation, and assured that justice will be served.
