Tension flared in Ekpan, Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State, as angry residents and youth groups stormed the Ekpan Divisional Police Station to protest the alleged extrajudicial killing of a 28-year-old man, Mene Ogidi, by a police officer identified as ASP Nuhu Usman of the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).
The protest, which began in the early hours of the day, quickly gained momentum as scores of youths, civil society activists, and community members gathered around the police facility, demanding justice and accountability. The demonstrators carried placards with inscriptions such as “Stop Police Brutality,” “Justice for Mene Ogidi,” and “End Extrajudicial Killings,” while chanting solidarity songs and calling for the immediate arrest and prosecution of the officer involved.
Eyewitness accounts suggest that the incident occurred in a public setting, where Ogidi was allegedly shot at close range by the officer under circumstances that remain disputed. Residents claim the act was unprovoked and amounted to a summary execution, further fueling outrage in a community already wary of police excesses.
According to a witness who spoke on condition of anonymity, Ogidi was unarmed at the time of the incident and posed no immediate threat that would justify the use of lethal force. “What we saw was shocking. There was no struggle, no warning—just a gunshot. This cannot be justified,” the witness said.
The killing has reignited longstanding concerns about police brutality in Nigeria, particularly the legacy of SARS, a unit that was officially disbanded in 2020 following nationwide protests against human rights abuses. Despite the disbandment, many Nigerians have continued to express fears that similar practices persist under different operational structures.
As news of the incident spread, protesters converged on the Ekpan Police Station, blocking access roads and demanding that the authorities release a clear account of what transpired. Some demonstrators attempted to gain entry into the station, prompting a heavy security response. Police reinforcements were deployed to the area to prevent the situation from escalating into violence.
Community leaders who addressed the crowd urged calm but insisted that justice must be served. They called on the Delta State Government and relevant federal authorities to launch an independent investigation into the incident, warning that failure to act decisively could erode public trust in law enforcement institutions.
“This is not just about one life lost,” said a local youth leader. “It is about the safety of every young person in this country. If nothing is done, it sends a message that lives do not matter.”
Human rights organisations have also begun to weigh in on the matter, calling for transparency and accountability. Several advocacy groups have demanded that ASP Nuhu Usman be immediately suspended pending the outcome of an investigation, and that the case be handed over to an independent panel to avoid any potential cover-up.
Legal experts note that extrajudicial killings, if proven, constitute a grave violation of both Nigerian law and international human rights standards. They argue that swift and impartial investigations are essential to ensure justice for victims and to deter future abuses.
Efforts to obtain an official statement from the Delta State Police Command were ongoing at the time of filing this report. However, sources within the police indicated that an internal review of the incident had commenced, although details remain unclear.
Meanwhile, the family of Mene Ogidi has called for justice, describing his death as senseless and devastating. Relatives who spoke to reporters said Ogidi was a hardworking young man with no known criminal record, and they are demanding that those responsible be held accountable.
“We have lost a son, a brother, a future,” a family member said. “All we want is justice. Nothing can bring him back, but the truth must be told.”
The incident has also sparked renewed conversations on social media, with many Nigerians drawing parallels to past cases of police brutality and calling for comprehensive reforms in the country’s security architecture. Hashtags demanding justice for Ogidi have begun trending, as citizens express frustration over what they describe as a pattern of impunity.
Observers warn that the situation in Ekpan remains volatile, with the potential for further unrest if the authorities fail to respond decisively. They stress the importance of open communication, community engagement, and visible steps toward accountability in de-escalating tensions.
As the protests continue, the focus remains firmly on the demand for justice for Mene Ogidi and broader calls for systemic reforms to address police misconduct in Nigeria. The coming days are likely to test the resolve of both the authorities and the community, as the nation watches closely to see how the case is handled.
