By Desire Emmanuel
The police officer who shot a suspected criminal dead in broad daylight in Delta State has been arrested and he is to face disciplinary action at the Force Headquarters, Abuja.
A video went viral on Tuesday where the suspected criminal who was bound in his hands and legs was shouting and begging, but as he was doing this, the officer cocked his gun and shot him at close range. The body of the suspect was carried inside the police vehicle and taken away.
However, apparently following the reactions the killing generated online, the Delta State Police Command disclosed that the officer, whose name was given as ASP Nuhu Usman, had been arrested over the killing of the suspect, Mene Ogidi, aged 28 years, saying the killing occurred in Effurun on April 26.
According to the command in a statement on Tuesday, April 28, the unfortunate incident occurred when operatives attached to Area Command, Effurun received credible intelligence report from members of the public regarding the deceased, who was said to have been apprehended while attempting to waybill a parcel containing a Beretta pistol with four rounds of ammunition.
Following the report, police operatives were promptly deployed to the scene to take the suspect into custody.
However, ASP Usman, said to be the police officer leading the team, in clear violation of Force Order 237 and the Standard Operating Procedure of the Nigeria Police Force, shot the suspect with his gun, leading to his death.
As a result of the killing, the Commissioner of Police directed the Area Commander, Effurun, to immediately arrest ASP Usman and transfer him to the State Headquarters, Asaba, for necessary disciplinary action.
“The officer has since been queried and transferred to Force Headquarters, Abuja, where he will appear before the Force Disciplinary Committee for immediate disciplinary sanction and prosecution,” the command stated.
“The Commissioner of Police extends his sincere condolences to the family of the deceased, Mene Ogidi, and assures the bereaved family that the command is fully committed to ensuring that justice is served,” the statement added.
