The Rivers State Police Command has dismissed three police officers found responsible for the shooting that led to the death of a University of Port Harcourt graduate, Anthony Obodo.

Obodo was shot on August 27, 2026, during a police pursuit on Ada George Road in the Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State.

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

Adepoju said the officers were tried in an orderly room after an investigation into the incident established their culpability. He added that they would also be prosecuted for appropriate criminal offences.

The commissioner said the incident began when a police patrol team attempted to stop a vehicle during a routine operation. The vehicle allegedly failed to stop, leading to a pursuit.

According to Adepoju, Corporal Alfred Louis, who was attached to the patrol team, opened fire during the chase, hitting Obodo, who was driving the vehicle.

Obodo was taken to Palmer’s Hospital in Port Harcourt for treatment but was later pronounced dead by the attending doctor.

The three members of the patrol team were subsequently arrested and detained at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Port Harcourt. Police were also searching for Inspector Solomon Nworgu, who allegedly fled after the incident.

Adepoju said the disciplinary action against the officers reflected the command’s position that police personnel must be held accountable for unlawful conduct.

“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,” he said.

 14 Arrested Over Alleged ‘One-Chance’ Robberies

The commissioner also announced the arrest of 14 suspects allegedly linked to “one-chance” robbery operations in Port Harcourt and surrounding areas.

Among those identified were Nelson Idakiniselegha, 30, also known as Mandela; Michael Matthew, 29, known as Pilot; Kelly Edison, 30, also known as BTC; Daniel Obodo, 18, known as Mazi; and Chisom Unegbu, 28, known as Favour.

Adepoju said the arrests followed increased intelligence-led operations by the command’s Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) in response to reports of attacks involving suspected one-chance robbery syndicates.

He said Idakiniselegha was arrested on August 18 at a suspected criminal hideout on Niger Street, Port Harcourt.

According to the commissioner, the suspect allegedly confessed to being part of a five-man one-chance robbery syndicate and provided information that led investigators to other suspected members and groups operating in areas including Garrison, Aba Road, Rumuola, Air Force, Rumuokwurusi, Obiri-Ikwerre and Choba.

Matthew was subsequently arrested on August 23 and was allegedly identified as the leader of one of the syndicates operating around Aba Road, East-West Road, Choba and NTA Road.

Edison and Obodo were also arrested at their respective hideouts and allegedly admitted involvement in the criminal activities during interrogation.

Police further arrested Unegbu, who was allegedly identified as the driver of one of the syndicates, at a hotel on Aker Road, Port Harcourt, on August 24.

The police said investigations indicated that Idakiniselegha allegedly specialised in removing SIM cards from victims and using them to facilitate unauthorised withdrawals from their bank accounts.

Items recovered from the suspects include a black-and-white minibus with registration number RGM 823 XE, allegedly used by the syndicate, and 16 mobile phones suspected to have been stolen from victims.

The command said investigations were ongoing to identify other suspected members, locate victims and recover additional proceeds allegedly obtained through the robberies.

Adepoju said the police would continue operations against criminal networks involved in one-chance robbery, kidnapping, armed robbery, cult-related activities and other violent crimes in Rivers State.

He urged residents to report suspicious persons, vehicles and criminal activity to the police and advised members of the public against taking the law into their own hands.

The commissioner also reiterated the command’s commitment to professionalism, accountability, transparency and respect for human rights.