The Extrajudicial Killing Of Mene Ogidi In Effurun And The Growing Culture Of Impunity And Brutality In Nigeria -By Hajia Hadiza Mohammed

On Sunday 26th April 2026, a twenty-eight year old young man known as Mene Ogidi was shot in broad day after being handcuffed by police officers in Effurun, near Warri, Delta State. What was the offense of the victim? He was alleged to have attempted to waybill a berretta pistol with four rounds of ammunition through a transport company in Effurun where he was apprehended and the police alerted. In the viral video footage, the young man who was said to be an upcoming musician was seen with his hands tied behind him pleading for his life before being shot by the trigger-happy police officer identified as ASP Nuhu Usman who led a team of four others to the park for the arrest. The killing has sparked off public outrage with many demanding justice. And in consequence of this, the police authorities were said to have arrested ASP Nuhu Usman and his team and transferred them to police headquarters in Abuja to face murder charges.

This case is unbelievable like a scene from a movie script. It is indeed quite strange that a trained officer of the rank of an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) will cork gun in public and kill an unarmed suspect that is already in captivity, without any threat to his life or attempt by the suspect to escape. The killing was said to be done in the police station car park without any interrogation, thorough investigation, due process or trial. Experts believe this kind of killing can only be done when the murderer has something to cover up; which formal investigation would reveal.

On the other hand, the young musician might be a victim of set-up by those who wanted him out. Also, the boldness with which the police officer displayed in shooting the victim right inside the police station may suggest that he may have some backing or acting on the orders from some powerful individuals that want to silence the victim.

Clearly, killing the victim without thorough investigation amounts to taking laws into one’s hand and it is a crime punishable under the law. ASP Nuhu Usman in this case has made himself the prosecutor, the judge and the executioner who passed a death sentence on a suspect, signed the death warrant and executed the victim. It is unfortunate! Nigeria is indeed living in perilous times.

Without doubt, a thorough investigation of the matter would have helped the police authorities to know the source of the alleged weapon, the destination, those involved in the arm smuggle as well as the purpose and the scale of their operations. And by killing the suspect, Mene Ogidi, these useful pieces of information might be suppressed. And this is fueling the suspicion that the killer police officer or whomever instructed him to kill the suspect might be involved in illegal arm business.

In another viral video circulated on the internet, it is alleged that the killers were not real police men but touts working for the police area command. This has not been proved to be true but if it is, it goes to show the level of deterioration in the system where touts, agbero and area-boys are engaged to do official business by our corrupt politicians in the name of empowerment. This matter has become more visible in this regime where touts seem to have more power than security officers. On our inter-state highways you see licensed touts harassing motorist in the name of collecting revenue for the state. And even in the Federal Capital Territory touts harass motorists on daily basis with impunity. Touts are daring and lawless because they have backers. The notorious MC Oluomo of the National Union of Road Transport Workers was quoted to have boasted that he will not obey any court order except the orders from Tinubu.

If we are to make progress as a people, this culture impunity must be addressed properly. What Nigerians go through in the hands of those who claim to have connection from above and from corrupt security officers on daily basis is unimaginable. On the road many Nigerians face hell while traveling as police and security agents extort them. Many have beating, dehumanized, and forced to transfer huge sums from their account to the so-called officers on the road while some have been shot for resisting intimidation and exploitation.

Worse still our legislatures seem not perturbed about this culture of impunity prevalent in the country. Some believe that they will do anything because they part of the politicians that hire and empower touts to operate in the country. Maybe Nigeria my need another ENDSARS protest to stop touts and area-boys menace in the country.

However, while we condemn the killing, I think it is important that we commend the park operators for being vigilant. Small arms proliferation is increasing in the country now and it is the major cause of crime and insecurity in the country. If our officers at the borders and on the road and our transporters are as vigilant as they should, illegal possession of firearms and its attendant crime and violence within the country will reduce to the barest minimum.

Hajia Hadiza Mohammed

hajiahadizamohammed@gmail.com

An actress, social activist, politician

London, UK