The recent viral video showing the fatal shooting of 28-year-old Mene Ogidi in Effurun has centered national attention on ASP Nuhu Usman.
While the Delta State Police Command has been quick to move the officer to Abuja for a murder trial, several details regarding his background, the incident, and the police response have emerged.
Here are the key things you need to know about ASP Nuhu Usman and the circumstances surrounding this tragic event:
1. He was a Senior Officer in the Field
Unlike many extra-judicial killing reports involving junior “rank and file” officers, Nuhu Usman held the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP). This means he was a commissioned officer, expected to lead by example and have a deep understanding of the rules of engagement. Despite this, the command noted he acted in “clear violation of Force Order 237,” which is the specific regulation that dictates when and how a police officer can use their firearm.
2. His Actions were Labeled “Spiritual” by the Police
In a rare and surprising admission, the Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, Bright Edafe, described Usman’s conduct as beyond logical explanation. During a televised interview, Edafe stated that the officer’s behavior was so unprofessional and violent that it could only be viewed “from a spiritual perspective.” This suggests that even within the force, there is no tactical or procedural justification for why he pulled the trigger on a suspect who was already apprehended.
3. He Ignored Standard Operating Procedures (SOP)
According to the official investigation, the team led by Usman had successfully intercepted Mene Ogidi based on intelligence that he was carrying “a Beretta pistol with four rounds of ammunition.” While the police confirmed the suspect was being investigated for this, they emphasized that the situation was under control. Usman’s decision to discharge his weapon after the suspect was caught is what the police call a total breach of the “Standard Operating Procedure of the Nigeria Police Force.”
4. The “Face Mask” Controversy
When the Delta State Command released the first image of Usman’s arrest, they faced heavy criticism for covering his face with a mask. Many Nigerians on social media accused the police of trying to protect his identity. However, the command defended this, with PPRO Bright Edafe insisting that obscuring the suspect’s face during the initial announcement was “the professional thing to do” while the case was being transferred to the Force Headquarters.
5. He Faces a Transfer to Abuja for Trial
Recognizing the gravity of the public outrage and the evidence in the viral video, the police have not kept Usman in Delta State. He has been moved to the Force Headquarters in Abuja. This move is often done in high-profile cases to ensure a neutral disciplinary process and to prevent any local interference or tension from affecting the murder trial.
6. Impact on the Victim’s Family
The victim, Mene Ogidi, was only 28 years old. While the police alleged he was involved in transporting an illegal firearm, the viral video has shifted the conversation from the alleged crime to the manner of his death. The family and human rights activists are now focused on ensuring that ASP Nuhu Usman’s trial is transparent and that the “extra-judicial killing” does not go unpunished.
