Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has issued a strong condemnation of the killing of a defenseless young man, Mena Otidi, by a police officer in Effurun, describing the act as barbaric, unlawful, and a grave violation of the sanctity of human life that demanded full accountability and comprehensive justice.
In a statement issued through his Chief Press Secretary, Festus Ahon, the governor expressed deep personal sorrow over the tragic incident and extended heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased, reaffirming that no citizen deserved to be subjected to such brutality under any circumstances, and that the protection of lives remained the most fundamental responsibility of his administration.
Oborevwori commended Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Rilwan Disu and the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force for the swift and decisive disciplinary actions taken following the incident, including the approval of dismissal recommendations and the initiation of criminal prosecution proceedings against the officers found culpable in the killing.
He described the police leadership’s response as a strong and necessary signal of institutional accountability and an important step toward restoring public confidence in law enforcement at a moment when that confidence had been severely shaken by the widely circulated video evidence of the shooting.
The governor insisted that all officers implicated in the killing, as documented in the video evidence that had circulated publicly, must be subjected to thorough investigation and brought to justice in full accordance with the law, without exception and without delay. He stressed that justice in this matter must not only be delivered but must be seen to be delivered in a manner that left no doubt about the state’s commitment to upholding the rule of law.
He assured the bereaved family of the Delta State Government’s full support in pursuing the matter to its conclusion, pledging that the state would monitor the case closely and ensure that it progressed through the legal system without being allowed to stall or fade from institutional attention.
Oborevwori pledged that no avenue would be left unexplored in ensuring that justice was served and that the conditions that enabled such tragic incidents were identified and addressed to prevent their recurrence. He called on residents of Delta State to remain calm and law-abiding, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to the protection of lives, respect for the rule of law, and the promotion of a just and humane society for all who lived and worked in the state.
