A 16-year-old prospective undergraduate, Divine Efe, narrowly escaped death after he was allegedly shot during an encounter with operatives attached to an anti-cult security outfit in Oghara, Ethiope West Local Government Area of Delta State.
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The incident reportedly occurred on Sunday, May 17, 2026, at Western Delta Junction in Ogharefe during a stop-and-search exercise carried out by the security team.
According to accounts gathered by the family, Divine was travelling in a Sienna vehicle alongside two other passengers from Oghara to a neighbouring community to purchase food items when their journey was interrupted by armed operatives.
Speaking on the incident, Divine’s father, Dr. Victor Williams Efe of Delta Southern University, stated that the occupants complied with the stop and that both the passengers and vehicle were searched.
He maintained that nothing illegal or suspicious was discovered.
According to him, the encounter allegedly took a different turn after operatives requested to inspect the passengers’ phones.
“From what my son narrated and from eyewitness accounts, the operatives searched the vehicle and found nothing incriminating,” he said.
Dr. Efe further alleged that the operatives demanded money from the young men.
He claimed the boys explained they only had funds intended for purchasing food and appealed to be allowed to continue their journey.
The father alleged that the situation became violent after the occupants resisted the demands.
According to his account, the young men were allegedly assaulted and threatened with being taken to the police station.
During the altercation, one of the firearms reportedly discharged.
The bullet struck Divine in the leg.
Dr. Efe stated that his son narrowly avoided a more severe injury.
He said the family received an emergency call around 10:33 p.m. informing them that Divine had been rushed to the hospital following the shooting.
Following the incident, Divine was placed under medical care.
According to his father, doctors commenced treatment immediately and later requested a deposit of N400,000 to support specialist treatment and orthopaedic observation.
The family said doctors monitored the injury closely to determine whether recovery would occur without further complications.
Dr. Efe expressed concern over what he described as growing reports of misconduct among some local security outfits.
He called on authorities, community leaders, and relevant stakeholders to investigate the incident and prevent similar occurrences.
“I Did Nothing Wrong” — Teen Speaks From Hospital
Speaking from his hospital bed, Divine described the experience as traumatic.
According to him, neither he nor his companions engaged in any unlawful activity before the encounter.
He said they remained calm and cooperated during the search.
Divine alleged that events changed suddenly when the operatives became aggressive.
He recalled witnessing his friend being beaten before a firearm was discharged.
The teenager said that beyond the physical injury, the emotional impact of the experience has remained difficult to process.
Meanwhile, Delta State Commissioner of Police, CP Yemi Oyeniyi, has reiterated the importance of professionalism and respect for human rights among security personnel.
The commissioner made the remarks during separate engagement sessions involving police officers, community leaders, members of the Police Community Relations Committee, and other stakeholders across the state.
In a statement issued by Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, the sessions formed part of ongoing efforts by the Police Service Commission to strengthen community policing and address concerns relating to human rights.
The statement added that participants were sensitised on police responsibilities, citizens’ rights during interventions, and the importance of maintaining public trust.
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