Mother of slain Delta musician Oghenemine Ogidi, also known as OG, has cried out after her son was shot dead by a police officer in Effurun, Delta State.
Speaking during an interview with BBC News Pidgin shared on Thursday, she said the late musician was the second son she had lost in incidents involving police officers.
“My two children were killed by the police. They first took my son in 2022, and now they have taken another one from me again. How do I survive this? What did I do to the police?” she said.
Her comments came as reactions continued over the killing of the 28-year-old musician, whose death was captured in a viral video.
In the footage, the victim appeared seated on the ground with his hands tied behind him before he was shot.
The victim’s elder brother Victor said the family searched for him after hearing he had been arrested.
“Someone sent me the video of my brother when the police shot him. My brother was the closest person to me,” he said.
Victor described OG as a peaceful person who was known in the area for his music performances.
“My brother always wanted to be a musician. Anytime we had a party, he was always the star act,” he added.
The victim’s sister said OG left home on Sunday after telling the family he was going to collect a waybill from someone in Sapele.
“In the evening, he had not returned. We later heard he had been arrested. We went to different police stations but they said they had not seen him,” she said.
She added that the family later received the video showing he had been killed.
Police said the incident happened on April 26 when officers attached to Area Command, Effurun, responded to information about a suspect allegedly trying to collect a parcel said to contain a Beretta pistol and four rounds of ammunition.
The force said ASP Nuhu Usman, who led the team, fired his weapon in violation of regulations, leading to the death of the suspect.
Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Olatunji Disu has approved the dismissal and prosecution of Usman and other officers found culpable.
“The Nigeria Police Force maintains a zero-tolerance stance on extra-judicial actions and abuse of power,” police spokesman Anthony Placid said.
Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori also condemned the killing.
“The killing of Mene Ogidi by ASP Nuhu Usman is unlawful. No citizen deserves to be subjected to such brutality and death,” the governor said in a statement by his spokesman Festus Ahon.
He added that the state government would monitor the case and support the family.
