The Inspector-General of Police, Rilwan Olutunji Disu, has ordered the dismissal and prosecution of officers involved in a fatal shooting in Delta State.
The incident, which happened in Effurun, led to the death of a civilian identified as Mene Ogidi.
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, the police chief condemned the actions of the officers. He described the shooting as “criminal, unprofessional, and completely unacceptable.”
He said the conduct does not reflect the values and operational standards of the Force.
At the centre of the case is Assistant Superintendent of Police, Nuhu Usman. According to the IGP, the officer violated established procedures guiding the use of firearms.
He referenced Force Order 247, which regulates how officers handle weapons in the line of duty. Disu stressed that the action taken by the officer was far outside what is expected of any personnel.
“The officer at the centre of the incident, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Nuhu Usman, acted in gross violation of established procedures and Force Order 247 governing the use of firearms,” he said.
“Let me be clear: this action was criminal, it was unprofessional, and it has no place in the Nigeria Police Force”.
The IGP explained that once the report reached his office, immediate steps were taken. All officers linked to the incident were transferred from Delta State Command to Abuja. This was to allow for a thorough and unbiased internal review.
He said the matter was investigated by the Force Disciplinary Committee alongside the Orderly Room Tribunal. Both panels examined the circumstances surrounding the shooting. Their findings pointed to clear violations of operational rules and unlawful conduct.
“The Force Disciplinary Committee (FDC), alongside the Orderly Room Tribunal, subsequently investigated the matter, with the proceedings confirming violations of operational procedures and unlawful conduct”.
Following the investigation, both bodies made strong recommendations. They advised that ASP Nuhu Usman and other officers involved should be dismissed from service. They also recommended that the officers face criminal prosecution for unlawful homicide.
Disu confirmed that the Force has accepted these recommendations. He added that once the dismissal process is completed, the officers will be handed over for prosecution.
“Both the FDC and the tribunal recommended the dismissal of ASP Nuhu Usman and other implicated officers from the Force, in addition to criminal prosecution for unlawful homicide.
“Upon dismissal, all officers will be handed over to the appropriate judicial authorities to face criminal charges for unlawful homicide”.
The IGP further disclosed that the recommendations have been forwarded to the Police Service Commission for final approval, as required by law.
He was quick to separate the actions of the officers from the institution itself. According to him, the misconduct was a personal failure and not a reflection of the Force as a whole. He maintained that the police remain committed to professionalism and the rule of law.
“The NPF 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.
The police chief also extended his condolences to the family of the deceased. He acknowledged the pain caused by the loss and assured that justice would be pursued without compromise.
“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,” he stated.
He appealed to residents of Delta State and Nigerians at large to remain calm. He urged citizens not to take the law into their own hands, assuring that the Force is committed to accountability and reform.
“The era of impunity is over. We are demonstrating that every citizen, regardless of their uniform, is accountable under the law,” the IGP added.