Human rights activist and lawyer Omoyele Sowore has strongly condemned the extrajudicial killing of Mene Ogidi, a young man who was shot by a police officer in Effurun, Delta State. The incident, which was captured on video, has sparked widespread outrage and renewed calls for an end to police brutality in Nigeria.
Sowore Warns of Possible Mass Protests
Sowore warned that the country could witness another wave of mass protests similar to the End SARS movement if such acts of police violence continue unchecked. He expressed concern that the officer involved was not in uniform and alleged that many of those responsible for these killings are former SARS operatives who should have been dismissed from the force but remain employed.
“They will see an End SARS 2.0 coming up soon. You can tell already by the immediate reaction of Nigerians that they hate police brutality. And if you see the guy who shot him, he was not in uniform. Most of them who are committing these atrocities are the former SARS people. They should have dismissed them from the police, but they are still in the police force. They are the ones carrying out these extrajudicial killings. They can never, never change. And they know them, but they are the ones they rely on most to do dirty jobs because they bring in the highest amount of returns,” Sowore stated.
Police Attempted Cover-Up
Sowore pointed out that the incident, which occurred on Sunday, only became public knowledge days later because authorities attempted to conceal it. He warned that the person who recorded the video could have been killed if the police had discovered their identity. “It happened on Sunday. But we didn't know until yesterday. They didn't know who took the video, otherwise they could have killed the person who also took the video. That's how wicked the Nigeria police is,” he said.
The activist emphasized that extrajudicial killings happen daily across Nigeria, including in Abuja, but most incidents go unrecorded. “What you saw that day is what happens every day, even here in Abuja. You know, at the former SARS, they call it the abattoir. Anybody that is brought, they shoot the person right away. Immediately. They have determined that if you are caught in a certain place, you must be shot. And most people don't survive it, but you don't get to see it except you see it on camera,” he added.
Sowore Demands Removal of Delta Police Officials
The activist called for the immediate removal of Delta State's Commissioner of Police and all senior police officials in the state. He described Delta as a hub for renewed repression, noting that the state has become increasingly difficult to live in recently. “And my position is that both the Commissioner of Police in the state and all the top echelons of the police in Delta State must be relieved of their position immediately. Delta has become a very difficult place recently, a hub for renewed repression,” Sowore demanded.
Call for Citizens to Document Police Misconduct
Sowore recalled his own experience of being taken to court by the former Inspector General of Police for recording police misconduct, only for the court to later affirm the right of citizens to document such actions. He advised citizens to find safe ways to secretly record the police to capture evidence, as it plays a key role in exposing abuse.
The activist's comments come amid growing anger over the killing of Mene Ogidi, with many Nigerians taking to social media to express their outrage and demand justice. The incident has once again highlighted the persistent issue of police brutality in Nigeria and the need for comprehensive police reform.
