Amid Evidence Showing Injury, Delta Police Say No Live Ammunition Fired at Youth After Tear Gas Shooting

Amidst evidence of video showing an injured man, the Delta State Police Command say no live ammunition was discharged at the youths who resisted attempt to arrest a suspect in Oviore -Orerokpe, Okpe local government area of Delta state.

A trending video which has gone viral shows sympathizers claiming police operatives discharged live ammunition and shot a civilian after some youths resisted attempt to arrest a suspected drug user.

The development is coming barely few weeks after reported shooting to death of one Oghenemine Ogidi, an upcoming musician popularly known as “OG Million” by now-dismissed ASP Nuhu Usman for allegedly being in possession of firearm.

It was alleged that police shot the unarmed man in Okudjere-Ovu community on suspicion of possessing hard drugs, on Thursday evening.

Local sources from the area claimed that policemen, in collaboration with anti-cult operatives, allegedly stopped the victim, claiming he was in possession of drugs and shot him in his right leg.

In the footage, sympathizers were seem trying to give help to the victim after the policemen ran away from the scene for fear of attacks by youths in the area.

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But in a reaction, Delta State Police Public Relation Officer, SP Bright Edafe, in a statement on Friday, said that the video under circulation is misleading, stating categorically that the claim is false and misleading, as no live ammunition was fired.

Edafe said that on 30 April 2026 at about 1900 hours, a surveillance patrol team from Orerokpe Division, while on routine patrol within Okuodjedjere Community, attempted to apprehend a suspected drug user.

He said that the officers encountered resistance from some youths in the area, creating a tense situation.

In a bid to safely disengage and prevent escalation, the officers deployed smoke canisters “TEAR GAS”, strictly as a crowd control measure. No live ammunition was discharged at any time during the incident.

“Regrettably, during the process, one of the smoke canisters struck a civilian on the leg, resulting in to injury. The victim was taken to the hospital, where he is currently receiving prompt medical attention”, he added.

In his remark, the Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, CP Yemi Oyeniyi, reiterated the command’s commitment to professionalism, accountability, and the protection of human rights.

The CP said that while the use of non-lethal crowd control measures is permitted under clearly defined guidelines, any misuse or deviation from established procedures will be dealt with decisively.

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He urged members of the public to disregard the false narrative being circulated and to rely on verified information from official police channels.