Delta State Police Public Relations Officer Bright Edafe said spirituality was the only explanation he could offer for the fatal shooting of a suspect by an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) in Effurun, Delta State.
The comment was made on Wednesday during an interview on Channels Television’s “The Morning Brief.” Edafe was responding to questions about the extrajudicial killing of Mene Ogidi, who was shot dead by ASP Nuhu Usman while in police custody.
Edafe described the incident as “a very sad issue” and called it “the most difficult moment” of his six‑year tenure as the force’s public relations officer. “There is no explanation for this,” he said, adding that he could not understand what went wrong with the officer involved. “Police cannot attribute problems to spirituality, but that may not be far from me, because that’s the only explanation that one can give to what he did.”
The police spokesperson acknowledged the gravity of the case, labeling it a “difficult moment for the force.” The shooting has intensified calls for a transparent investigation into the conduct of ASP Usman and the circumstances that led to Ogidi’s death.
The incident follows a series of high‑profile allegations of police misconduct in Nigeria, prompting renewed scrutiny of law‑enforcement practices and accountability mechanisms. Human‑rights groups have previously warned that extrajudicial killings undermine public confidence in the police and violate constitutional protections.
No official statement from ASP Usman has been released, and the Delta State Police Command has not confirmed whether an internal inquiry or an external investigative panel will be convened. Legal experts note that under the Nigerian constitution and the Police Act, any use of lethal force must be justified as necessary and proportionate, and unexplained shootings can result in criminal charges or disciplinary action.
The Department of State Services (DSS) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) have been urged to monitor the case to ensure due process is observed. Meanwhile, community leaders in Effurun have called for calm and urged authorities to provide a timely and thorough explanation to prevent further unrest.
As the story develops, the focus remains on whether the police will pursue a formal investigation, the potential legal ramifications for the officer involved, and the broader implications for policing standards in Delta State and across Nigeria.
