Rivers police dismiss four officers over death of Uniport graduate

The Rivers State Police Command has dismissed four police officers over their alleged involvement in the killing of a fresh graduate of the University of Port Harcourt, Anthony Obodo.

Obodo was shot dead in the Ada George area by Agip Junction, Port Harcourt, last Thursday.

The Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, disclosed this on Wednesday during a press briefing at the command headquarters in Port Harcourt.

Adepoju said the four officers had been subjected to disciplinary proceedings after investigations established their culpability in the incident.

He said “the command would not shield any personnel found to have acted outside the law”, stressing that professionalism, accountability, respect for human rights, and the protection of lives and property remained priorities of the command.

The Commissioner of Police explained that the incident occurred when a police patrol team attempted to stop a vehicle being driven by the late Obodo, who allegedly refused to stop, leading to a chase.

According to him, during the pursuit, one of the officers attached to the patrol team, Corporal Alfred Louis, allegedly opened fire at the vehicle, resulting in the death of Obodo.

Meanwhile, Adepoju announced the arrest of five suspected members of a one-chance robbery syndicate operating in Port Harcourt and its environs.

The suspects were identified as 30-year-old Nelson Idakiniseleg, also known as Mandela; 29-year-old Michael Matthew, aka Pilot; 30-year-old Kelly Edison, aka BTC; 18-year-old Daniel Obodo, aka Mazi; and 28-year-old Chisom Unegbu, aka Favour.

He said the suspects were arrested following sustained intelligence-led operations by the Violent Crime Response Unit in response to reports of one-chance robberies within the Port Harcourt metropolis.