WARRI/Nigeria: Amid rising public anger over the killing of Mena Ogidi, the Senator representing Delta Central, Ede Dafinone, has called for calm, urging residents to allow the law to take its course as authorities intensify investigations into the incident.
The appeal followed a high-level engagement in Warri involving police leadership and the victim’s family, where assurances were given that those responsible would face justice.
The meeting, held at the Nigeria Police Area Command, Warri, brought together the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Salman-Dogo Garba, the Commissioner of Police in Delta State, Yemi Oyeniyi, and members of the Ogidi family led by relatives including Emuobor Alex and Victory Ogidi.
The development comes in the wake of the controversial shooting of the young man by a police officer attached to the Effurun Area Command, an incident that has sparked widespread condemnation.
Speaking with journalists after the meeting, Dafinone acknowledged the public outrage but cautioned against actions that could heighten tensions.
“The anger is understandable, but we must allow due process. The police have taken steps, and we should give them the opportunity to conclude their work,” he said.
He noted that the intervention of the Inspector-General of Police, who deployed the AIG to Delta State, underscored the seriousness attached to the matter.
According to the senator, police authorities briefed stakeholders and conveyed condolences to the bereaved family, while reaffirming their commitment to ensuring justice.
Describing the incident as tragic and unacceptable, Dafinone said the use of lethal force in such circumstances was indefensible.
“We have lost a life under circumstances that should never occur. It is deeply troubling,” he said.
He, however, urged the public not to generalise the actions of one officer to the entire police institution, noting that the conduct in question appeared to be an isolated breach of professional standards.
Dafinone also cautioned against attempts to politicise the incident, insisting that focus should remain on justice for the victim and support for the grieving family.
In his remarks, AIG Garba said his presence in Delta was on the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, who had expressed dissatisfaction with the incident and ordered immediate intervention.
“We are here to ensure that all necessary steps are taken. This matter will not be swept aside,” he said, assuring that justice would be pursued.
Garba commended the senator’s intervention, describing it as timely in calming public tension and reinforcing stakeholder engagement.
The killing has continued to generate nationwide reactions, with calls for accountability and renewed scrutiny of police conduct, as many Nigerians demand concrete reforms to prevent a recurrence.
