Nigeria Police Hunt Suspects In Fatal Effurun Shooting

The Nigeria Police Force said it has deployed Tactical Teams to ensure the arrest and prosecution of the fleeing suspects in the Effurun shooting that led to the death of one, Mene Ogidi.

The Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Placid, at a news conference on Sunday in Abuja, said the force had also, put a coordinated investigative measures in place.

Placid said the fleeing suspects include the driver who delivered the parcel from Yenagoa and the two members of the vigilante group involved in the case.
He said that the late Mene Ogidi, 28, was shot on April 26 in Effurun area of Delta.

The police spokesman said Ogidi had received a parcel from a friend in Yenagoa, Bayelsa delivered to him by a driver.

He said the deceased had proceeded to a motor park to waybill the parcel to Sapele, with the name, address, and phone number of the intended receiver written on it after collection.

He added that when the parcel was searched, it was found to contain a fabricated Beretta pistol and four rounds of 9mm live ammunition.

According to him, citizens who witnessed, this effected a citizen’s arrest of the deceased and subsequently contacted the police.

“ASP Nuhu Usman, an Assistant Superintendents of Police and members of his team responded and arrived at the scene and the suspect was formally handed over to the team.

“At that point, rather than follow established police rules of engagement and standard operational procedures, Usman shot and killed the unarmed, already-apprehended suspect.”

He said that investigation by the Nigeria Police Force had established that the actions of Usman and members of his team constituted professional misconduct and abuse of office.

Placid said the team had exhibited conduct, likely to cause a breach of public peace by unlawfully killing Ogidi.

“Following the conclusion of investigations, Usman and three other members of his team have been arrested and are currently in custody,” he said.

He said that internal disciplinary procedures had been concluded against all officers found culpable.

“The force wishes to state clearly and without ambiguity that all indicted officers have been recommended for dismissal from the Nigeria Police Force.

“The Police Service Commission has reviewed and ratified this recommendation.
“Their dismissal is therefore confirmed and takes immediate effect,” he added.

He revealed that the case file had been formally forwarded to the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation for vetting and prosecution.

Placid said the force would cooperate fully with the AGF’s office to ensure that the matter was prosecuted to its logical conclusion before a court of competent jurisdiction.