Public anger has intensified in Delta State after the Delta State Police Command suggested a “spiritual dimension” to a controversial police fatal shooting of a 28-year-old suspect, Mene Ogidi, in Effurun.
The comment, attributed to the command’s spokesperson, Bright Edafe, has sparked widespread criticism, with many questioning the introduction of metaphysical explanations into what is being treated as a potential extrajudicial killing.
The victim, Ogidi, reportedly died following a police operation under circumstances that remain unclear.
Police authorities confirmed that the officer allegedly responsible, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Nuhu Usman, has been arrested and is undergoing internal disciplinary procedures, while a broader investigation is ongoing.
According to the command, the incident may not be “entirely explainable by normal circumstances,” adding that “spirituality is not far from it”, a remark that has drawn sharp backlash from civil society groups and legal experts.
READ ALSO: Obi Condemns Alleged Police Extrajudicial Killing In Delta, Demands Accountability
Critics argue that such statements risk undermining public trust and diverting attention from the core issue of accountability. They insist the case must be handled strictly through evidence-based investigation and due process.
The Nigeria Police Force has faced sustained scrutiny over use-of-force incidents, with repeated calls for reforms, improved training, and stronger oversight mechanisms.
As pressure mounts, observers say the credibility of the investigation will depend on transparency, factual clarity, and whether justice is seen to be done.