Bright Edafe, spokesperson of the Delta police command, says “spirituality” may be the only explanation for the actions of an assistant superintendent of police (ASP) who killed a suspect in the state.
On Monday, a video showing an officer shooting a restrained suspect went viral on social media.
In the video, the suspect could be heard pleading with the police officers not to shoot him, saying he was deceived by a friend who resides in the Sapele area of the state.
While the suspect was pleading with the officers, one of them, dressed in mufti, was seen cocking his rifle and then shooting directly at the suspect, who immediately fell to the ground. The police officers immediately carried the body into a Toyota Sienna vehicle.
Meanwhile, it was alleged that the suspect was found with a pistol.
Speaking on Tuesday during an appearance on Morning Brief, a Channels Television programme, Edafe said the command could not find a clear explanation for the officer’s behaviour.
“Police cannot attribute the problem to spirituality, but that may not be far from it. Because that is the only explanation one can give to what he did,” Edafe said.
“Having an incident that cannot be explained is very difficult. There is no explanation for this. That policeman, I just don’t get what I would say was wrong with him.”
The command had earlier identified the officer as Nuhu Usman, adding that he has been arrested and transferred to the state police headquarters in Asaba for necessary disciplinary action.
The incident has drawn criticism from Nigerians, with many demanding an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the killing.
