The Rivers State Police Command has dismissed three officers linked to the killing of a University of Port Harcourt graduate, Anthony Obodo, who was shot last Thursday in the Ada George area of Port Harcourt.
The state Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, disclosed this while parading the dismissed officers before journalists in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
The command also declared an inspector, Solomon Nworgu, who was allegedly part of the patrol team and fled the scene after the shooting, a deserter, with efforts ongoing to track him down.
According to Adepoju, Obodo was shot after a police patrol team flagged down his vehicle around Agip Junction in the Ada George area, with one of the officers, Corporal Alfred Louis, allegedly firing three shots at the car on the claim that Obodo refused to stop.
One of the bullets struck him, and he later died.
Adepoju said the three officers were arrested, detained at the State Criminal Investigation Department, and subjected to an orderly room trial, which established their culpability in the shooting.
"I am here to provide updates on some serious incidents recently recorded in the state, including the investigation into the death of one Anthony A. Obodo, 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," Adepoju said.
He said the command would not protect any officer found to have broken the law.
"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," he said.
Narrating how the shooting unfolded, Adepoju said the patrol team had chased Obodo's vehicle before the corporal opened fire.
"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," he said.
He said Obodo did not survive the injury despite efforts to save him.
"The victim was immediately rushed to Palmer's Hospital, Port Harcourt, where he was attended to and subsequently confirmed dead by the doctor on duty," he said.
Adepoju said the three officers involved in the pursuit were promptly arrested and detained at the SCID, where investigators carried out a thorough inquiry, while a separate effort was made to locate the officer who fled.
"Efforts were also intensified to locate and arrest Inspector Solomon Nwrogu, who reportedly absconded following the incident," he said.
He said the outcome of the investigation left the command with no choice but to act.
"Following the conclusion of the investigation and the establishment of the culpability of the officers involved, the command has taken appropriate disciplinary action against the police personnel involved. The officers being paraded today have been dismissed from the Nigeria Police Force and will be charged to court," he said.
The police commissioner said the disciplinary action reflected the command's position that misconduct, abuse of office, excessive use of force and violation of the law by officers would not be tolerated under his leadership.
He reaffirmed the command's commitment to professionalism, accountability, transparency, respect for human rights and service to the people.
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