Kanayo O. Kanayo slams police over extrajudicial killing, demands justice

From the desk of The Punch, Nigeria.

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The killing of Mene by a Nigerian police officer is very unfortunate, and everything must be done to that officer to show Nigeria is not a monkey country where anything can just happen.

Nollywood icon Kanayo O. Kanayo has lent his powerful voice to the growing outrage over the alleged extrajudicial killing of Mene Ogidi, a 28-year-old man in Effurun, Delta State. His condemnation, amplified by his significant public profile, underscores the deep-seated concerns about police brutality and the erosion of public trust in law enforcement agencies across Nigeria. Kanayo's impassioned plea for justice and decisive action against the officer responsible serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for accountability within the police force.

Kanayo's statement, shared on X, directly addressed the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, urging him to treat the case with the utmost seriousness. His personal appeal, invoking the possibility of his own son or the IGP's son falling victim to similar circumstances, highlights the universal vulnerability of citizens to potential police misconduct. This personal touch resonates deeply, emphasizing that such incidents are not isolated but represent a systemic issue that demands immediate and robust intervention to prevent further tragedies.

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Please Inspector General of Police, Disu, this case must be taken seriously. My son could be involved tomorrow, your son might be as well.

The incident, captured on video and shared widely, shows the victim, Mene Ogidi, pleading for his life before being allegedly shot. The subsequent arrest of the officer involved, ASP Nuhu Usman, and his transfer to Force Headquarters for investigation and disciplinary action, is a step towards addressing the immediate fallout. However, as Kanayo and many others emphasize, true justice and the restoration of public confidence will require more than just disciplinary action; it necessitates a fundamental shift in police conduct and a commitment to upholding the rule of law over arbitrary use of force. The Nigerian film industry, often portraying firearms, also faces unique challenges, as Kanayo pointed out, where prop usage could be dangerously misconstrued by overzealous officers.

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I work in the movie industry where sometimes we carry guns to shoot movies. Now imagine this type of police officer apprehending anyone in the movie industry with a gun, would he ever give the person a chance to explain what they are using it to do?