A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Peter Obi, has condemned the alleged extrajudicial killing of a young Nigerian in Effurun, Delta State, describing the incident as a serious abuse of power and a violation of the rule of law.

Obi made his position known in a statement shared on his X account on Wednesday, where he stressed that no citizen should lose their life without due legal process and a fair determination of guilt.

According to him, incidents involving unlawful killings by security personnel further deepen fear and insecurity among Nigerians already dealing with widespread violence across the country.

“The extrajudicial killing of a young Nigerian in Effurun, Delta State, by a police officer is not only barbaric but also a grave violation of the rule of law,” Obi stated.

He said such actions leave families traumatised and worsen public anxiety in a society already struggling with insecurity and repeated reports of violent attacks.

Obi noted that killings linked to terror groups and criminal violence had already created emotional and psychological strain on citizens, adding that cases involving state actors only further weaken public trust in the country’s security system.

“Nigerians are already traumatised by recurring reports of brutal killings by terror organisations across the country, and incidents of this nature — especially when involving state actors — only worsen that psychological burden and erode public confidence in safety and security,” he said.

Despite condemning the incident, Obi praised the Nigeria Police Force for its swift reaction and expressed confidence that the authorities would ensure that justice is carried out.

He stated that prompt action by security agencies was necessary to reassure Nigerians that the rule of law would prevail and that justice would not be undermined.

“In light of this, while the law must take its full course, I commend the prompt response of the police authorities so far and express confidence that they will pursue this matter to its logical conclusion,” Obi added.