A police officer attached to the Effurun Division in Delta State has allegedly killed a handcuffed man, having loaded his rifle before immediately shooting the man dead, a development said to be extrajudicial killing.
Penpushing reports that a human rights activist, Harrison Gwamnishu, uploaded the disturbing video clip on Tuesday showing the handcuffed man surrounded by armed police operatives attached to the Effurun Division in Delta State.
The handcuffed man identified as Mene Ogidi, sitting on the ground was heard in the video assuring the operatives that he would tell them “everything’, and that his friends deceived him and pleaded with officers to spare him
Penpushing further reports that while the 28-year-old man pleaded for the opportunity to say “everything,” one of the operatives appeared uninterested in the man’s plea. And shot him dead on the spot while his remains were thereafter taken into a police van
The Delta State Police Command Public Relations Officer Bright Edafe, confirmed the extra-judicial killing of the suspect by the officer occurred on Sunday, adding that police officer has equally been arrested
Penpushing also reports that Edafe in a statement stated that the police operatives were promptly deployed to the scene to take the suspect into custody, adding that the unfortunate incident occurred when the deceased was reportedly apprehended while attempting to waybill a parcel containing a Beretta pistol with four rounds of ammunition.
“The unfortunate incident occurred when operatives attached to Area Command Effurun received credible intelligence from members of the public regarding the deceased, who was reportedly apprehended while attempting to waybill a parcel containing a Beretta pistol with four rounds of ammunition. Police operatives were promptly deployed to the scene to take the suspect into custody,” he said.
“However, 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 added
Penpushing reports that he said the Commissioner of Police, Yemi Oyeniyi, upon receiving the information about the extra-judicial killing, immediately ordered the arrest of the officer and subsequent transfer to the police headquarters, Asaba, for disciplinary action.
“The officer has since been queried and transferred to Force Headquarters, Abuja, where he will appear before the Force Disciplinary Committee, currently in session, for immediate disciplinary sanction and prosecution,” he said.
Penpushing further reports that the statement condemned the incident and consoled the family of the executed man, assuring that the police are committed to ensuring that justice is served.
The commissioner said the police in the state emphasise respect for the rule of law, human rights, professionalism, accountability and public trust in line with the policy of the Nigeria Police Force.
Penpushing also reports that the commissioner reaffirmed his zero tolerance for lawlessness, recklessness and extra-judicial conduct of officers, and appealed to Nigerians to remain calm and law-abiding, assuring that all necessary steps were being taken to prosecute the officer.
The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu while reacting to the sad development, vowed to ensure justice for the slain man, just as he condoled the family of the deceased and assured them that justice would be served according to the law.
“The leadership of the Nigeria Police Force has directed the immediate transfer of the officer and his team to Force Headquarters, Abuja, where they would face the Force Disciplinary Committee for summary disciplinary measures and prosecution. The Nigeria Police Force maintains a zero-tolerance stance on extra-judicial actions, abuse of authority, and any conduct that undermines public trust’, the statement read.
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