IGP orders dismissal, criminal prosecution of officers in Effurun shooting

By Kingsley Omonobi

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Rilwan Olutunji Disu, has ordered immediate disciplinary action against officers of the Nigeria Police Force involved in the fatal shooting incident in Effurun, Delta State, which led to the death of a civilian, Mene Ogidi.

The IGP made this known during a press briefing at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, on Wednesday, where he described the incident as “criminal, unprofessional, and completely unacceptable,” noting that it does not reflect the standards or values of the Nigeria Police Force.

IGP Disu said, “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.

“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 upon receipt of the report, he ordered the immediate transfer of all officers involved from the Delta State Command to Force Headquarters in Abuja, where they were subjected to internal disciplinary processes without delay.

“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”.

The IGP disclosed that “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”.

Disu added that the recommendations have been forwarded to the Police Service Commission (PSC) for final ratification.

Reiterating the position of the Force, the IGP emphasised that the actions of the officers were personal breaches of discipline and did not represent the institutional standards of the Nigeria Police Force.

“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.

He expressed deep condolences to the family of the deceased, Mene Ogidi, and assured them that justice would be pursued transparently and decisively.

“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 also appealed for calm in Delta State and across the country, urging citizens not to resort to self-help, while reaffirming the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to accountability and internal 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.