The killing of 28-year-old artiste Oghenemine Mene Ogidi in Effurun, Delta State, is not just another case of alleged police brutality—it is a convergence of unanswered questions, institutional lapses, and a pattern of accountability failures that date back to the disbandment of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).
An investigation, supported by eyewitness accounts, family testimony, and human rights reporting, reveals a chain of events that raises serious concerns about procedure, evidence, and command responsibility.
A Timeline Marked by Irregularities
On Sunday, April 27, Ogidi left his family home after receiving a call to pick up a package at Effurun Main Park. Within an hour, he was dead—shot first at the park and again at a police station.
According to accounts reconstructed from witnesses and rights advocates, Mene Ogidi became entangled in a dispute over the package. When it was opened, bystanders claimed it contained a firearm and ammunition. He was restrained, his hands tied, and the police were contacted.
What followed deviates sharply from expected protocol.
Assistant Superintendent of Police Nuhu Usman—reportedly off duty and not assigned to the responding unit—inserted himself into the operation.
Harrison Gwamnishu, founder of Safecity Foundation, stated:
“On getting to the park, he (Usman) opened fire and shot the boy. They took him to the area command, where he shot him three more times. That was how he killed Ogene Mene.”
A viral video appears to support this sequence, showing Ogidi restrained with his hands behind his back when he was shot at close range.
The Missing Evidence Problem
Central to the police narrative is the alleged recovery of a firearm. Yet, this claim remains unverified.
Mene Ogidi’s sister, Vine, directly challenged the absence of evidence:
“Until now, we have never seen any gun or parcel.
“If there was truly a parcel or a gun, it should have been presented. If the parcel belonged to my brother, his phone number would be on it, not another person’s. Who sent the package? Who was the driver that received it?”
These questions remain unresolved. Newshawkng.com believes that authorities have not publicly presented any physical evidence tied to the alleged weapon as of the time of compiling this report.
The absence of transparency on such a critical detail complicates the justification for the use of lethal force.
Allegations of a Cover-Up
The family’s search for Mene Ogidi adds another layer of concern.
After he failed to return home, relatives reported him missing at Ekpan Police Station—twice—and were allegedly told officers had no knowledge of his whereabouts.
Vine recounted:
“We went there twice. We then posted his picture online, and that was when the video of his killing surfaced.”
Gwamnishu suggested deliberate suppression of the incident:
“After that, everywhere was silent. They were trying to hide everything until someone who recorded the incident sent it to me, and I posted it online.
“If this boy was the owner of the gun, he would have had accomplices and led the police to arrest others. Why would the police kill this young man? Possibly, they are trying to cover up something.”
A Pattern of Institutional Failure
The profile of ASP Nuhu Usman introduces systemic concerns. A former SARS operative, Usman reportedly had a history of disciplinary issues and repeated transfers.
A human rights activist familiar with his record stated:
“After the #EndSARS protest, the police authorities withdrew them and deployed them in the RRS.
“The Officer in Charge of the RRS couldn’t manage Usman’s attitude and sent him to Illah Police Division. When the Illah DPO couldn’t manage him, he was redeployed to Jesse Division. When the DPO there couldn’t manage him, he sent him to Uvwie Area Command…”
Another source confirmed a pattern of violence and repeated redeployments rather than disciplinary sanctions.
Gwamnishu also emphasized a critical breach:
“He was not on duty and should not have followed other policemen to arrest Mene.”
This raises a key structural issue: how officers with known conduct problems remain armed and operational.
The Victim Beyond the Incident
Mene Ogidi, full name Oghenemine Ogidi known musically as OG, is described by family as non-violent and community-oriented.
“My brother was cool and calm. He had never fought anyone. He could sit in a spot, listening to music and pressing his phone for a whole day,” Vine said.
His mother added a disturbing dimension:
“They had earlier killed Mene’s brother. What did I do to the police? From the video shown to me, I heard my son begging them — it was someone who sent him to help pick the waybill.”
Swift Action – but is it Enough?
Following public outrage, the Inspector General of Police ordered an investigation. Within 24 hours, Usman and four officers were dismissed and are awaiting arraignment.
However, the speed of disciplinary action has not quelled concerns about deeper accountability.
A prior directive from the police leadership stated:
“Any Commissioner of Police under whose command misconduct occurs will be required to explain to my office.
“Where the explanation is unsatisfactory, a formal query will be issued. Where failure of supervision persists, a transfer will follow.”
Potential sanctions against senior officers, including the Delta State Commissioner of Police and the Area Commander, are reportedly under consideration.
Broader Pattern of Abuse
The case fits into a wider pattern of alleged police brutality across Nigeria, even after the 2020 #EndSARS protests.
Recent incidents cited include:
A man allegedly chased and stoned to death in Delta
A detainee reportedly tortured to death in Imo’s Tiger Base unit
A security guard allegedly beaten to death in Anambra custody
These cases suggest that structural reforms promised after #EndSARS remain incomplete.
Rising Calls for Structural Reform
Civil society groups argue that the Mene case underscores systemic, not isolated, failure.
Akinkunle Adedayo of the Committee for Democracy and Rights of the People said:
“The trigger-happy policeman has records of unprofessional conducts and we want this matter to be prosecuted without any manipulation. We’re following up on the case and we will ensure justice is served.”
Juwon Sanyaolu of the Take-It-Back Movement called for technological accountability:
“There is no reason why policemen should not be compelled to wear body cams. Every police officer must have body cams as part of their kits.”
He also warned of growing unrest, suggesting continued abuses could trigger renewed nationwide protests.
Meanwhile, activist Taiwo Hassan offered a more structural critique:
“To get it clear, the Nigeria Police Force was created in the period of colonialism to oppress and enforce the rule of the empire. That job is still what they are doing right now even after independence. The only thing is that they are serving different masters. It is included in their DNA to be oppressing the people.”
The Unanswered Questions
At its core, the Mene Ogidi case leaves several critical questions unresolved:
Why was an off-duty officer allowed to engage in an active operation?
Where is the alleged weapon, and why has it not been publicly presented?
Why did officers initially deny knowledge of the victim’s detention and death?
How did an officer with a known pattern of misconduct remain operational?
Until these questions are addressed transparently, the case risks becoming not just another incident—but further evidence of systemic failure within policing structures.
