By Ephraim Emmanuel
The Rivers State Police Command has dismissed four police officers involved in the fatal shooting of 22-year-old University of Port Harcourt graduate, Anthony Obodo, along the Agip-Ada George Road axis of Port Harcourt.
The Commissioner of Police, Rivers State Command, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, announced the dismissal on Wednesday during a press briefing at the command headquarters in Port Harcourt to update the public on the investigation.
The CP identified the officers involved as ASP Fabian Kpeanabari, Inspector Solomon Nworgu, Corporal Alfred Louis, and Police Constable Michael Ejokwu.
CP Adepoju disclosed that the officers were subjected to orderly room disciplinary proceedings at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) following internal investigations that established their culpability in the incident.
The command confirmed that Corporal Alfred Louis allegedly fired the shot that fatally wounded the victim during a police pursuit on August 27. Three of the officers were immediately arrested, while active manhunt efforts remain ongoing to locate and apprehend Inspector Solomon Nworgu, who absconded following the shooting and has been declared a deserter.
The Commissioner assured that all four dismissed personnel, including the fleeing officer, will be charged to court to face criminal prosecution in accordance with 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,” CP Adepoju stated. “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.”
Reaffirming the command’s commitment to transparency and public safety, the Police Commissioner urged residents of Rivers State to remain vigilant, report suspicious activities or police misconduct through official channels, and refrain from taking the law into their own hands.
