Senate orders crackdown on bandits flaunting crime cash on TikTok

Abuja, FCT – By Prime Brief Media

The Inspector General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has ordered the immediate redeployment of 1,332 officers from the Delta State Police Command and a nationwide audit of all arms and ammunition as part of sweeping reforms triggered by the extrajudicial killing of a 28-year-old man in Effurun, near Warri.

The directives were issued from the Force Headquarters in Abuja and communicated in a signal dated 3 May, endorsed by the Force Secretary, AIG Bode Akinbamilowo. The redeployment, one of the largest single transfers in the command’s history, was confirmed by police sources who said it is part of broader measures to restore public confidence, reinforce discipline, and comprehensively reform the command in the aftermath of the 26 April incident.

The victim, Mene Ogidi, was shot dead by now-dismissed Assistant Superintendent of Police Nuhu Usman, despite being unarmed and restrained by civilians who had apprehended him on suspicion of arms smuggling. The killing, captured in a harrowing viral video, triggered a nationwide wave of outrage and demands for accountability. The IGP has since dismissed four officers, including Usman and members of his team, and forwarded their case file to the Delta State Attorney General for criminal prosecution.

Speaking at an emergency conference of the Force Management Team, Assistant Inspectors General, and Police Commissioners in Abuja, Disu confirmed the arrest of two additional suspects linked to the killing. “I want to inform you that we have arrested two more suspects involved in the shooting incident in Delta State. Investigation is ongoing and I don’t want to say anything further until it is concluded,” he said.

“That act was wrong, unlawful, and violated the sanctity of human life and the professional standards of this Force,” the IGP stated. “The officer responsible and members of his team have been dismissed, and the case has been forwarded for criminal prosecution. This matter will not be swept aside”.

Mass redeployment of officers

The transfer signal, circulated to Deputy Inspectors-General, Commissioners of Police across all state commands and the Federal Capital Territory, and heads of specialised units, affects officers across multiple ranks, particularly ASPs. Receiving commands including Edo, Anambra, Abia, and Imo states have been directed to submit the names of compliant and non-compliant officers to the offices of the IGP and Force Secretary by 22 May.

The redeployment covers formations including the Police Mobile Force, the Border Patrol Force, the Special Protection Unit, the Force Criminal Investigation Department, the Police Academy in Kano, the Police Staff College in Jos, and other training and tactical units.

Police sources told Prime Brief Media that the mass transfer is “a deliberate surgical intervention” aimed at breaking entrenched networks and restoring discipline within the Delta Command, which has faced repeated allegations of misconduct in recent years.

IGP orders emergency arms audit

In a separate directive, the IGP ordered an immediate nationwide audit of arms and ammunition across all police formations. “I hereby direct all Commissioners of Police to immediately undertake a comprehensive audit of arms and ammunition within their respective commands,” Disu said. “This exercise must be thorough, transparent, and properly documented, with detailed reports forwarded to the Force Headquarters within the stipulated timeframe”.

The IGP described the audit as “not a routine administrative task, but a critical measure to enhance our readiness, prevent misuse, and ensure that all assets entrusted to the Force are properly accounted for and optimally deployed”.

New Violent Crime Response Unit launched

Further restructuring the Force’s anti-crime architecture, Disu announced the creation of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), a new specialised formation to replace the disbanded Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) teams. The VCRU, according to the IGP, represents a fundamental shift in Nigeria’s approach to tackling serious crimes.

“Every officer assigned to the VCRU has undergone intensive training in tactical operations, intelligence gathering, human rights compliance, and rules of engagement,” Disu said, adding that civilian oversight has been built into the unit’s operational framework from the outset. “These units will operate strictly on the basis of credible intelligence, and their operations will be subject to structured review”.

Senate demands full accountability

The reforms received a measured welcome from the Senate. At Tuesday’s plenary, Senate President Godswill Akpabio addressed the killing, describing it as “a matter that strikes at the moral fabric of our nation” that demanded urgent attention from both the legislature and security authorities.

“Every Nigerian life is sacred. The strength of our Republic rests on the assurance that the life of every citizen, regardless of status, location, or circumstance, must be protected under the law,” Akpabio said.

While acknowledging the IGP’s swift response, Akpabio insisted that “this commendable beginning must lead to conclusive justice. The Nigerian people expect and deserve nothing less than a transparent and diligent process that will culminate in justice being done and being seen to be done”. The Senate observed a minute of silence in honour of the deceased.

Delta Governor pledges justice

Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has also declared that his administration will pursue justice in the killing to its logical conclusion, insisting that no citizen deserved to be subjected to such brutality. The Assistant Inspector General in charge of the state has visited the bereaved family to convey condolences on behalf of the Force.

IGP: ‘Our Response Will Define Us’

Addressing the Nigerian public directly, the IGP struck a resolute tone. “This incident does not define the Nigerian Police Force, but our response will,” Disu said. “Our response is clear, zero tolerance, full accountability, no exceptions”.

To strengthen community engagement, the IGP has directed all Commissioners of Police to convene regular town hall meetings with traditional rulers, religious leaders, market associations, youth and women groups, and transport unions. He also ordered commissioners to make their contact details available to community leaders, stating that “when a community leader needs to reach their Commissioner of Police, that line must be open. That is what community policing looks like in practice”.

Prime Brief Media will continue to track security and rescue efforts across the state as this story develops.

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