Nigeria Police: Mounting Concerns Over Extrajudicial Deaths
The shocking footage emerging from Nigeria in April 2026 – showing the killing of Mene Ogidi by a police officer – has ignited fresh outrage over a deeply troubling pattern of extrajudicial killings. While the swift dismissal of the officer involved offered some degree of accountability, the incident, alongside cases like that of Andrew Amehson Aziko, highlights a systemic crisis within the Nigerian Police Force, raising serious questions about training, oversight, and a culture of impunity. ROLAND OGBONNAYA examines the issues at play, and the calls for urgent and comprehensive reform.
The grainy footage, circulating relentlessly across social media in late April 2026, was brutal in its simplicity. A man, identified as 28-year-old Mene Ogidi, was restrained with his hands bound behind his back, pleading for his life. Then, a single gunshot. The perpetrator, Assistant Superintendent of Police Nuhu Usman, was standing over him. The incident, occurring in Effurun, Delta State, ignited a firestorm of outrage, becoming the latest, and tragically visible, example of a deeply entrenched problem within the Nigerian Police Force: extrajudicial killings.
While the swift response from the Inspector General of Police, Olatunji Disu – the dismissal and impending prosecution of Usman and other implicated officers – offered a semblance of accountability, the case is far from isolated. It is a symptom of a systemic failure, a crisis of trust, and a persistent disregard for the rule of law that continues to plague Nigeria’s law enforcement agencies. The Ogidi case, alongside other recent incidents like the killing of student Andrew Amehson Aziko in Kogi State, underscores a disturbing pattern and raises fundamental questions about the culture within the police force and the effectiveness of oversight mechanisms.
“This is not policing—it is a breakdown of lawful authority,” declared Speak Out for Justice Advocacy Ltd/Gte (SOJA) in a scathing statement following the Effurun shooting. The organisation’s condemnation resonated with a growing chorus of civil society groups and human rights advocates who have long documented a litany of abuses perpetrated by the police, often with impunity. SOJA rightly pointed to the violation of fundamental constitutional rights, specifically the right to life and the dignity of the human person, enshrined in Sections 33(1) and 34(1) of the 1999 Constitution.
The issue isn’t simply about ‘rogue’ officers, argues Sadiq Bello, a human rights lawyer based in Abuja. “Even where there is suspicion of wrongdoing, force must be necessary and proportionate,” he stated in a recent interview. “From what is publicly available (in the Ogidi case), this raises serious questions of unlawful killing.” This highlights a critical point: the problem extends beyond individual misconduct to encompass a broader failure of training, supervision, and a deeply ingrained culture of impunity.
The Delta State Police Command’s initial response, while acknowledging a breach of Force Order 237 (governing the use of firearms) and the Standard Operating Procedure, initially attempted to frame the incident within the context of Ogidi’s alleged involvement in possessing a firearm. However, this narrative was quickly overshadowed by the damning video evidence, forcing a more decisive response from the IGP. Bright Edafe, the Command’s spokesperson, described the officer’s actions as “unprofessional” and, in a startling admission, likened them to something “that could not be explained unless from a spiritual perspective.” This unsettling comment, while perhaps intended to convey the gravity of the transgression, inadvertently underscored the profound disconnect between the actions of the officer and the expected standards of conduct.
The case of Andrew Amehson Aziko in Kogi State further complicates the narrative. The video footage of his brutal beating and subsequent shooting by security guards at Nana College of Health paints a horrifying picture of unchecked violence. Aziko, reportedly undergoing treatment for mental health challenges, was a vulnerable individual in desperate need of assistance, not lethal force. This incident, coupled with a previous similar case in the same local government area, has fuelled fears of a pattern of extrajudicial violence perpetrated by local security actors. The lack of a swift and transparent investigation, and the reported detention of protesters, only exacerbates these concerns.
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has been vocal in its condemnation of these incidents, with Executive Secretary Tony Ojukwu warning that “no citizen should lose their life at the hands of those entrusted with their protection.” The NHRC’s call for systemic reforms, including mandatory psychological evaluations for officers and stricter enforcement of rules governing the use of force, is a crucial step towards addressing the root causes of the problem. However, the Commission’s effectiveness is often hampered by limited resources and a lack of political will to fully implement its recommendations.
The issue of private security personnel, as highlighted by the Aziko case, adds another layer of complexity. While not directly employed by the police, these guards operate within the broader security landscape and are often poorly trained and inadequately supervised. The lack of clear regulations and oversight mechanisms creates a fertile ground for abuse and impunity.
The response from the police leadership, while seemingly decisive in the Ogidi case, has been met with cautious optimism. Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Kunle Edun, described the incident as “pure murder” and emphasised the need for prosecution, stating that the punishment for such a crime is the death penalty.
However, past experience suggests that securing convictions in cases involving police brutality is often an uphill battle, hampered by bureaucratic obstacles, political interference, and a lack of witness protection.
The Police Service Commission (PSC), responsible for the recruitment, training, and discipline of police officers, is attempting to address the issue through capacity building initiatives, partnering with institutions like the Lagos Business School. While these efforts are commendable, they are unlikely to yield significant results without a fundamental shift in the culture within the police force and a genuine commitment to accountability at all levels. As PSC Chairman DIG Hashimu Salihu Argungu (rtd) noted, “Processes and procedures determine product or output.” Improving those processes and ensuring their consistent application is paramount.
The recurring incidents of extrajudicial killings in Nigeria are not merely isolated acts of brutality; they are a symptom of a deeper malaise – a systemic failure to uphold the rule of law, protect human rights, and ensure accountability within the security forces. The Ogidi and Aziko cases serve as stark reminders of the urgent need for comprehensive police reform, including improved training, stricter oversight, independent investigations of alleged abuses, and a genuine commitment to prosecuting perpetrators.
As the NHRC’s Tony Ojukwu powerfully stated, “Nigeria must never normalise brutality.” The shadow of the gun must not continue to fall upon the innocent, and justice must not only be done, but must be seen to be done, consistently and unequivocally. The future of law enforcement in Nigeria, and the trust of its citizens, depend on it.
