Police authorities in Rivers State have dismissed three rogue officers found culpable in the killing of Anthony Obodo, a resident of Port Harcourt, the state capital.
The Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, announced the dismissal on Wednesday while parading the rogue officers in Port Harcourt.
While the police described Obodo as a student, media reports identified him as a graduate of the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT).
Adepoju said the incident occurred on August 27 at about 5:30pm when a patrol team from the Agip Police Division, led by Inspector Fabian Banabari, was returning from a special assignment at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium.
According to him, the officers sighted a black, fully tinted Lexus vehicle and attempted to stop it, but the driver allegedly refused to stop and sped away.
The patrol team reportedly gave chase, during which Alfred Louis, a police corporal attached to the team, allegedly opened fire at the vehicle, hitting the driver.
The victim was subsequently rushed to Palmars Hospital in Port Harcourt, where he was treated but later pronounced dead by the attending doctor.
Following the incident, the three officers were arrested and detained at the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Port Harcourt as the command commenced an investigation.
Adepoju said efforts were also made to arrest Inspector Solomon Nwogu, another officer allegedly connected to the incident, who reportedly fled after the shooting.
“Following the conclusion of the investigation and the establishment of the complicity of the police involved, they have been tried in an orderly room with the other officer at large and recommended for dismissal from the Nigerian Police Force,” the commissioner said.
He added that the dismissed officers would be charged before a court to face appropriate criminal charges in accordance with the law.
The police commissioner stressed that the Rivers Command would continue to prioritise professionalism, accountability, respect for human rights and the protection of lives and property.
He said the command would not shield any officer found to have violated the law, assuring that allegations of misconduct would be investigated fairly and professionally.
Adepoju described the dismissal as a demonstration of the police force’s commitment to holding its personnel accountable.
“The action taken against these officers demonstrates that the Nigerian 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. Let me reassure you that the case will be charged to court,” he added.
