Thursday, September 3, 2026 - The Rivers State Police Command has dismissed three policemen over the k!lling of 22-year-old Anthony Obodo, a graduate of the University of Port Harcourt.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Olugbenga Adepoju,
who disclosed this in a media briefing in Port Harcourt on Wednesday, September
2, said the decision was following an orderly trial conducted on the suspects
and others at large.
Adepoju said on August 27th, a police patrol team led by one
Fabian Kpeanabari, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, had shot and k!lled
Anthony after it was alleged that the victim, who was driving in a tinted Lexus
car, had refused to stop after the police team had flagged him down.
The victim, who was waiting for his NYSC call-up letter, was
shot de@d at the popular Ada George Road in Port Harcourt by the dismissed
police officers.
The development has sparked pandemonium in the state as
youths from the Ndele Community in the Emohua Local Government Area of the
state and other areas stormed the Agip area of Port Harcourt in heavy protest.
Speaking, Adepoju said the affected officers would
subsequently be charged to court to face the appropriate criminal charges in
accordance with the law.
“I am here
to provide updates on some serious incidents recently recorded in the state,
including the investigation into the de@th of one Anthony A. Obodo, ‘Male’, a
student, following a police pursuit and unfortunate shooting incident, as well
as the arrest of suspected members of a one-chance robbery syndicate operating
within Port Harcourt and its environs.
Let me state
clearly that the Rivers State Police Command places a high premium on
professionalism, accountability, respect for human rights and the protection of
lives and property.
Where
allegations of misconduct or criminality are made against police personnel, we
will not shield any officer found to have acted outside the law under my watch.
The patrol
team consequently gave chase to the deceased, and during the pursuit, Corporal
Alfred Louis, who is attached to the patrol team, opened fire at the vehicle,
and a bullet hit the driver identified as Anthony A. Obodo, who sustained a
gunshot injury.
The victim
was immediately rushed to Palmer’s Hospital, Port Harcourt, where he was
attended to and subsequently confirmed de@d by the doctor on duty.
The three
members of the patrol team were immediately arrested and detained at the State
Criminal Investigation, where a Department (SCID), Port-Harcourt, comprehensive
investigation into the case was carried out.”
He mentioned that they will subsequently be charged to court
to face the appropriate criminal charges in accordance with the law.
Adepoju mentioned that the action taken against these
officers demonstrates that the Nigeria Police Force will not shield personnel
who abuse the powers entrusted to them or act contrary to the law and
professional standards of the Force.
‘’Let me
reiterate that no police officer is above the law'' he said
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