Nigeria’s police force, tasked with protecting lives and property, has once again come under intense scrutiny following the shocking broad-daylight execution of 28-year-old Oghenemine Ogidi, popularly known as Mene or OG Millan, in Effurun, Delta State. The incident, captured on video and widely circulated on social media, has reignited national outrage over police brutality, extrajudicial killings, and the persistent failure to reform a force still haunted by the ghosts of EndSARS.
The Killing of Mene Ogidi
On April 26, 2026, Mene Ogidi was apprehended at the Benin Motor Park in Effurun while allegedly attempting to waybill a parcel containing a Beretta pistol and four rounds of ammunition. According to police accounts, he was held by members of a transport union before officers from the Effurun Area Command arrived.
What followed was captured in graphic footage: Ogidi, already restrained with his hands and legs tied, sat on the ground as officers interrogated him. Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Nuhu Usman, the team leader and a former SARS operative, then shot him at close range. Reports indicate Ogidi was shot initially at the park and again multiple times at the Area Command, where he died. Eyewitness videos show the young man pleading for his life before the fatal shots.
Mene Ogidi was a musician and the second son his mother has lost to police bullets his elder brother was reportedly killed by police in 2022. The family has demanded justice, describing the act as cold-blooded murder rather than lawful policing.
Swift Action or Damage Control?
The Nigeria Police Force responded with unusual speed. The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, ordered the dismissal of ASP Nuhu Usman and four other officers involved. They were transferred to Force Headquarters in Abuja for disciplinary proceedings and face criminal prosecution for the unlawful killing. The Force described the shooting as a “gross violation” of regulations, particularly Force Order 237 on the use of firearms.
Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori condemned the killing as “barbaric” and “unprovoked,” vowing that justice would be served. Prominent figures, including Peter Obi, also spoke out against the extrajudicial act.
While the swift dismissal is commendable, many Nigerians view it as reactive damage control rather than genuine reform. Questions remain: Why was a suspect who was already restrained and in custody shot execution-style in broad daylight? Was the parcel truly his, or was he being used as a scapegoat? Critics argue that the culture of “trigger-happy” policing, especially among officers with SARS backgrounds, persists despite the 2020 disbandment of the unit.
Endemic Police Brutality
The Mene Ogidi case is not an isolated incident but symptomatic of deeper systemic issues. Nigeria continues to record frequent cases of police extortion, torture, unlawful detention, and extrajudicial executions. Amnesty International and other rights groups have documented patterns of abuse, including deaths in custody and excessive force during arrests or protests.
The 2020 #EndSARS protests, triggered by similar videos of police killings, led to widespread demands for reform. Yet, years later, accountability remains elusive for most officers. Underfunding, poor training, corruption, and a lack of community trust continue to undermine the force. With a police-to-population ratio far below global standards, officers are often overstretched, under-equipped, and prone to resorting to lethal force as a first option.
Public trust has eroded to the point where many citizens fear encountering the police more than criminals. Viral videos of brutality fuel this fear, turning every arrest into a potential life-or-death situation.
A Call for Genuine Reform
The killing of Mene Ogidi in broad daylight, with bystanders recording, underscores how normalized such acts have become. For justice to be served, the dismissed officers must face full prosecution in open court, not just internal sanctions. Broader reforms are urgently needed:
- Strict enforcement of rules on the use of force.
- Independent oversight bodies with prosecutorial powers.
- Better training in de-escalation and human rights.
- Improved welfare and equipment for officers.
- Community-oriented policing models.
Until these changes occur, incidents like the execution of Mene Ogidi will continue to occur, eroding the social contract between citizens and the state. Nigerians deserve a police force that protects rather than preys on them. The blood of Mene Ogidi and countless others demands more than dismissals it demands a fundamental transformation of policing in Nigeria.
As the family mourns and the public protests, one question echoes: How many more young lives must be cut short before real change happens?
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