Asaba, Delta State – October 9, 2025 – Prominent Nigerian human rights activist Harrison Gwamnishu has sounded the alarm after a man driving a Mercedes-Benz GLK was allegedly shot at by suspected police officers in Asaba, the Delta State capital. The incident, which Gwamnishu described as a “brazen act of police brutality,” has ignited outrage on social media, with calls for swift investigation and accountability.
Details of the Incident
According to Gwamnishu’s post on his Facebook page, the victim—a middle-aged businessman whose identity has not been disclosed—was en route to a meeting in the Okpanam area of Asaba around 7:30 a.m. local time when he was flagged down by a patrol team in an unmarked Toyota Sienna van. Eyewitness accounts shared by Gwamnishu claim the officers, dressed in black uniforms without name tags, demanded the man’s vehicle documents aggressively. When the driver reportedly hesitated to comply immediately, one officer fired a warning shot that struck the GLK’s rear tire, causing the vehicle to swerve and crash into a roadside barrier.
The victim sustained minor injuries from the impact but was not hit by bullets. He was promptly assisted by passersby and rushed to a nearby clinic for treatment. Gwamnishu, who arrived at the scene shortly after, posted photos of the damaged vehicle—showing bullet holes in the tire and bumper—alongside a video of the distraught driver recounting the ordeal. “This is not policing; this is terrorizing innocent citizens,” Gwamnishu wrote, tagging Delta State Police Command and the Inspector-General of Police. He alleged the officers fled the scene without rendering aid or providing identification.
Gwamnishu’s Background and Advocacy
Harrison Gwamnishu, Director-General of the Behind Bars Human Rights Foundation and a 2017 Mandela Washington Fellow, is no stranger to clashes with law enforcement. The activist, based in Asaba, has long campaigned against police misconduct, including a 2021 assassination attempt on his life near Asaba International Airport, where he claimed to be pursued by men in a police-marked van. In July 2024, he publicly criticized police spokesperson ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi over the alleged torture death of detainee Erasmus Emeya. More recently, in August 2025, Gwamnishu shared footage of Anambra police officers allegedly forcing entry into a residence without a warrant, accusing them of labeling the occupant a cultist.
Gwamnishu’s foundation has handled high-profile cases, such as the 2021 detention of Glory Okolie, a 21-year-old woman arrested on suspicion of ties to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). His vocal stance has earned him both praise as a defender of the vulnerable and invitations for police questioning, including a 2021 summons to Benin City over a murder investigation.
Broader Context of Police Incidents in Delta State
This shooting adds to a string of reported police excesses in Delta State. In July 2025, Gwamnishu addressed skepticism around the death of a man in a motorcycle accident hours after surviving a kidnap attempt in the state, verifying details with local hospitals. Similar vehicle-related confrontations have surfaced, including a 2023 Nairaland forum post about police wrecking a N27 million GLK during a chase in Sapele, and recent Facebook videos of armed officers confronting a plate-less Benz driver in Lagos. The Delta State Police Command has not issued an official statement as of press time, but sources indicate an internal probe may be underway.
Public Outcry and Calls for Action
The story has trended on X and Facebook under hashtags like #EndSARSReloaded and #JusticeForAsabaDriver, drawing over 50,000 engagements in hours. Supporters lauded Gwamnishu’s quick response, with comments like “Harrison is the voice the voiceless need—keep exposing them!” Critics of the police urged reforms, referencing the 2020 #EndSARS protests that highlighted extrajudicial killings and extortion. One user posted: “A Benz GLK? They see luxury and assume crime. When will this stop?”
Amnesty International Nigeria has echoed the calls, tweeting support for an independent investigation. Gwamnishu vowed to pursue the matter legally through his foundation, stating, “No citizen should fear for their life on our roads.”
As Delta residents demand transparency, this incident reignites national debates on police reform, underscoring the fragile trust between citizens and security forces in Nigeria’s bustling urban centers. Updates from the Delta Police Command are awaited.