Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has condemned the fatal shooting of 28-year-old Mene Ogidi by a police officer in Effurun, Delta State, describing the incident as barbaric and a serious violation of the rule of law.
Obi reacted on Wednesday through a statement shared on his official X account, days after the killing of Ogidi sparked outrage across Nigeria and renewed concerns over police brutality and extra-judicial killings.
The incident, which occurred on April 26, involved operatives attached to the Effurun Area Command who had reportedly moved to take Ogidi into custody after transport union members intercepted him while allegedly attempting to waybill a parcel said to contain a Beretta pistol and four rounds of ammunition.
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According to the Nigeria Police Force, the officer leading the team, ASP Nuhu Usman, opened fire in violation of Force Order 237 and the standard operational procedures of the police, leading to the suspect’s death. The officer has since been arrested and transferred to Force Headquarters in Abuja for disciplinary action and prosecution.
Reacting to the development, Obi said the killing represented a dangerous abuse of state power and a painful reminder of the fragility of justice in the country.
“The extrajudicial killing of a young Nigerian in Effurun, Delta State, by a police officer, Mr. Mene Ogidi, is not only barbaric but also a grave violation of the rule of law,” Obi said.
He said society had evolved beyond an era where lives could be taken without consequences, stressing that no citizen should be punished or deprived of life without due process and a fair determination of guilt.
The former Anambra State governor noted that beyond the immediate loss of life, such incidents inflict deep emotional trauma on families and heighten fear among citizens already burdened by insecurity.
According to him, repeated reports of killings by terror groups across different parts of the country had already left Nigerians psychologically distressed, warning that extra-judicial actions by state agents only worsen public distrust in security institutions.
Obi, however, acknowledged the swift action taken by police authorities following the viral outrage, commending the force for moving quickly against the officer involved.
“In light of this, while the law must take its full course, I commend the prompt response of the police authorities so far and express confidence that they will pursue this matter to its logical conclusion,” he said.
He said the police response was necessary to reassure Nigerians that justice would not be compromised.
Obi also called on the police and other security agencies to sustain transparency and accountability in handling such incidents, warning that selective justice could further damage public confidence.
Beyond accountability, he urged security institutions to strengthen recruitment processes, insisting that only individuals with sound judgment and emotional stability should be entrusted with firearms.
“Recruitment processes must be more rigorous, ensuring that only individuals of sound judgment and the right frame of mind are entrusted with firearms,” he added.
The Effurun shooting has continued to trigger national debate, with many Nigerians demanding broader reforms within the police force, particularly around the use of lethal force and compliance with operational procedures.
The Delta State Police Command has assured the victim’s family and the public that justice will be served, maintaining that the force has zero tolerance for extra-judicial conduct.
Obi said restoring public trust in law enforcement would require justice, accountability, and a renewed commitment to the sanctity of human life.
