Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has arrested an officer over the killing of a suspect Mene Ogidi in Effurun, Delta State.
The force said the officer ASP Nuhu Usman has also been transferred to Force Headquarters in Abuja, where he will face disciplinary action and prosecution.
Force spokesman Anthony Placid said in a statement on Tuesday that the incident happened on April 26.
According to the police, operatives attached to the Effurun Area Command responded to information from Benin Motor Park along the Warri-Sapele Expressway about a suspect held by members of a transport union.
The police said the suspect was allegedly apprehended while trying to waybill a parcel said to contain a Beretta pistol and four rounds of ammunition.
The statement said officers were trying to take the suspect into custody when ASP Usman discharged his firearm, leading to the suspect’s death.
“While efforts were being made to take the suspect into lawful custody, the team leader, ASP Nuhu Usman, discharged his firearm in clear violation of extant regulations, resulting in the death of the suspect,” the statement said.
The police said the officer and his team had been transferred to Abuja to appear before the Force Disciplinary Committee.
“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 statement added.
The Inspector-General of Police sent condolences to the family of the deceased and assured them that justice would be served.
In a separate statement, Delta State Police Command spokesman Bright Edafe said the state commissioner of police ordered the immediate arrest of the officer after receiving the report.
He said the officer was first moved to the state headquarters in Asaba before being transferred to Abuja.
“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,” the statement said.
The police urged members of the public to remain calm while disciplinary and legal processes continue.
