Extrajudicial Killing: Delta Central SenatorDafinone Calls For Calm, Urges Due Process

Senator Ede Dafinone, representing Delta Central Senatorial District of Delta State in the National Assembly, has called for calm amid growing public outrage over the killing of a suspect, Mena Ogidi, following a high-level meeting with police authorities in Warri on Wednesday.

The lawmaker made the appeal after meeting with the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 5, Salman-Dogo Garba, at the Police Area Command, Warri. Also present at the meeting was the Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, CP Yemi Oyeniyi.

Family members of the late Mena Ogidi were also in attendance, led by his cousin, Emuobor Alex, and elder brother, Victory Ogidi.

The meeting followed the alleged extra-judicial killing of Mena Ogidi by ASP Nuhu Usman, an officer attached to the Nigeria Police Area Command, Effurun.

Addressing journalists after the meeting, Senator Dafinone said while the anger of residents was understandable, members of the public should allow due process and avoid actions that could escalate tensions.

“Yes, I definitely call for calm. The public are angry, and we understand that. This is 2026 and nobody expects such a thing in this day and age. But the police are handling the matter,” Dafinone said.

He noted that the Inspector-General of Police had demonstrated seriousness by deploying the AIG to Delta State to personally supervise developments.

“The IGP has taken full charge of this issue by sending the AIG, while the Commissioner of Police is also on ground. That shows the seriousness with which the Nigerian Police are treating this matter,” he stated.

Dafinone further said police authorities had assured the victim’s family that justice would be served.

“We were briefed by the AIG, who conveyed condolences from the Inspector-General of Police and assured us that justice would be done for the family of the deceased,” he added.

The Senator described the incident as shocking and tragic, stressing that no responsible officer should use a firearm recklessly against a restrained civilian in broad daylight.

“We have lost a life, and condolences go to the family and friends of the deceased. It is a shocking shame that this could happen,” he said.

He, however, urged the public not to condemn the entire police institution over the actions of one officer.

“This is not the police as a whole. It appears to be the conduct of one man acting outside orders and outside acceptable standards,” he said.

Dafinone also cautioned individuals and groups against exploiting the tragedy for attention or political relevance.

“Nobody should use this unfortunate incident for popularity or to make unnecessary accusations. The focus should be justice for the victim and support for the bereaved family,” he said.

Speaking earlier, AIG Salman-Dogo Garba said he was in Delta State on the direct instruction of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Tunji Disu, who expressed displeasure over the incident and demanded immediate action.

“I am not here on my own. I am here on the instruction and directive of the Inspector-General of Police, who was not happy with what happened. He directed me to come and ensure that everything needful is done,” Garba said.

He assured the family, community and stakeholders that the matter would not be swept aside.

“We came to assure the family and the community that justice will be done. I want to assure everybody that this matter will not be swept under the carpet,” the AIG stated.

AIG Garba described Senator Dafinone’s visit as timely, noting that the lawmaker’s presence had strengthened efforts to calm tensions.

“His visit is timely because he is a stakeholder, a community leader and the representative of the constituency where the incident happened,” he said.

The fatal shoooting of Mena Ogidi has sparked outrage in Delta State and across Nigeria, with many netizens and organisations demanding accountability and reforms in police conduct.