By Patrick Ochei
Public reactions have continued to trail comments by the Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, Edafe Bright, who appeared to attribute the fatal shooting of Oghenemine Ogidi by police officers, reportedly led by Usman Nuhu, to “spirituality.”
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television, Edafe acknowledged that there was no clear justification for the officers’ actions. While stressing that the Nigeria Police Force does not subscribe to spiritual explanations for misconduct, he said he struggled to find any other rationale for the incident.
The police spokesperson further noted that in his six years as a PPRO, he had not encountered a case in which an officer acted in such an egregious manner, culminating in the loss of a civilian life. He described the incident as both disturbing and unprecedented within his professional experience.
Addressing concerns about the handling of the accused officers, Edafe explained that they were allowed to conceal their identities while being transported to the Force Headquarters in Abuja. According to him, this measure aligns with their constitutional rights pending the outcome of judicial proceedings.
Despite his clarification, Edafe’s reference to “spirituality” has sparked mixed reactions among Nigerians. While some interpret his remarks as an expression of frustration over an inexplicable act, others have criticized the comment as inappropriate and insufficient in addressing issues of accountability within the police force.
Amid the debate, public sentiment remains largely sombre, with many questioning why lethal force was used in a situation that could have provided valuable intelligence in the fight against crime. The incident has further intensified calls for transparency, thorough investigation, and reforms to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
