The policeman who killed a suspect in the Delta viral video will be tried for murder, says the PPRO.
Glamtush reports that the Delta State Police Command has said that the policeman who shot and killed a suspect in Effurun, as captured in a viral video, will be tried for murder.
The spokesperson for the command, Bright Edafe, who disclosed this during an interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Wednesday, said the cop, identified as ASP Nuhu Usman, had been moved to the Force Headquarters in Abuja to face disciplinary action.
Edafe said that the officer acted unprofessionally and likened his violent action to one that could not be explained except from a spiritual perspective.
When asked why Usman’s face was covered in the press statement issued by the command announcing his arrest, the PPRO said it was the professional thing to do.
The extra-judicial killing of 28-year-old Mene Ogidi by the ASP has sparked outrage online.
According to the police, the incident occurred on April 26, when operatives attached to Area Command Effurun acted on intelligence that the deceased had been apprehended while allegedly attempting to waybill a parcel containing “a Beretta pistol with four rounds of ammunition.”
The command further stated that “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.”
Edafe said the command was still struggling to understand what led to the officer’s action.
“Since my six years of public relations, this is my most difficult moment.
“Because having an incident that cannot be explained is very difficult. There is no explanation for this. That policeman, I just don’t get what I would say was wrong with him.
“Police cannot attribute the problem to spirituality, but that may not be far from it. Because that is the only explanation one can give to what he did,” Edafe stated.
His comment comes as the Delta State Police Command continues internal disciplinary processes over the incident, which has already led to the arrest of the officer involved and his transfer to Abuja for further investigation.
The video drew heavy attention across social media and news platforms.
The Nigeria Police Force has maintained that it will not tolerate extrajudicial actions by its personnel, while assuring that due process will be followed in handling the case.
