The Committee for the Defence of Human Rights has condemned the alleged extra-judicial killing of Mene Ogidi, 28, shot dead by a police officer in Effurun, Delta State, on April 26, 2026.
The group’s President, Debo Adeniran, and National Publicity Secretary, Jeremiah Onyibe, conveyed its displeasure in a statement on Wednesday.
Acknowledging the incident and the reported arrest and transfer of the officer involved, ASP Nuhu Usman, the group cautioned that this must not be treated as a routine internal disciplinary matter.
The statement quoted that the circumstances surrounding this killing point clearly to a grave violation of the right to life and the established rules governing the use of force.
It added:”CDHR warns the Nigeria Police Force against any attempt to cover up, dilute, or trivialize this obvious crime. Nigerians have witnessed too many instances where initial assurances of accountability fade into silence, administrative leniency, or opaque proceedings. This case must not follow that troubling pattern.”
Besides, the group demands a transparent, independent, and public investigation into the incident,and immediate prosecution of the officer involved in a competent court of law, beyond internal disciplinary mechanisms.
It also demands full disclosure of findings to the public and the victim’s family, as well as adequate compensation and justice for the family of the deceased.
It reasoned that adherence to the rule of law requires that no officer, regardless of rank, is above the law.
The use of lethal force must always be a last resort, strictly guided by both domestic regulations and international human rights standards, it maintained.
It added:We further state clearly that CDHR will monitor this case closely and follow every step of the process—from investigation to prosecution and final judgment. We will not hesitate to mobilize lawful civic action should there be any sign of obstruction, delay, or miscarriage of justice.
“The life of Mene Ogidi matters. Justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done.”
