Police shooting incident in Delta as suspect reportedly injured over drug allegation

Delta police shooting Okudjere Ovu incident sparks outrage as rights group demands probe after unarmed man was allegedly shot in Okudjere-Ovu community

Officers from the Orerokpe Police Division in Okpe Local Government Area of Delta State have come under scrutiny following an alleged shooting incident in which an unarmed civilian was reportedly injured during an operation in Okudjere-Ovu Community.

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The incident, which occurred on Thursday evening, has intensified public concern over policing methods in the area, especially as it comes amid lingering grief over previous violent incidents involving security operations.

The Delta police shooting Okudjere Ovu reportedly happened when officers, working alongside anti-cult operatives, stopped a man on suspicion of drug possession.

Eyewitness accounts claim the situation escalated quickly, resulting in the victim being shot in the right leg.

A video circulating from the scene showed residents attempting to assist the injured man as police officers allegedly withdrew from the area, reportedly due to rising tension and fears of confrontation with angry youths.

The footage has since fuelled widespread outrage, with civil rights advocates condemning the incident as excessive and unnecessary force.

A group known as the Initiative For Social Rights Concerns And Advancements, also called “No Justice, No Peace”, strongly criticised the shooting, describing it as deeply troubling and calling for an urgent and transparent investigation.

The organisation’s National Coordinator, Comrade Derrick Oritsematosan Agberen, said the incident raises serious questions about professional conduct and accountability within law enforcement, stressing that the primary duty of the police is to protect lives, not endanger them.

The group has called on the Delta State Commissioner of Police, CP Yemi Oyeniyi, to immediately identify and investigate the officers involved, urging disciplinary action where necessary to restore public trust.

At the time of reporting, the Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, had not issued an official response to inquiries regarding the incident.

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The development adds to growing calls for improved policing standards and greater oversight of security operations across communities in Delta State, as residents demand accountability and restraint in the use of force.

Mariam Balogun