Police dismiss three officers over alleged killing of Port Harcourt resident

The Rivers State Police Command has dismissed three officers found culpable in the alleged killing of a Port Harcourt resident, Anthony Obodo, during a patrol operation in the state capital.

The Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, announced the dismissal on Wednesday in Port Harcourt while parading the officers involved in the incident.

The command identified Obodo as a student, although some media reports described him as a graduate of the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT).

According to Adepoju, the incident occurred on August 27 at about 5:30pm when a patrol team from the Agip Police Division, led by Fabian Banabari, was returning from a special assignment at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium.

He said the officers encountered a black, fully tinted Lexus vehicle and attempted to stop it, but the driver allegedly refused to stop and sped away.

The patrol team subsequently gave chase, during which Alfred Louis, a police corporal attached to the team, allegedly opened fire at the vehicle and hit the driver.

Adepoju said the victim was immediately taken to Palmars Hospital in Port Harcourt for medical attention but was later pronounced dead by the attending doctor.

“The victim was immediately rushed to Palmars Hospital, Port Harcourt, where he was attended to and subsequently confirmed dead by the doctor on duty,” the commissioner said.

READ ALSO; Edo Police arrest four suspected kidnappers, Islamic teacher over alleged charms

Following the incident, the three members of the patrol team were arrested and detained at the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Port Harcourt, where investigations were conducted.

The police also launched efforts to locate Inspector Solomon Nwogu, another member of the team who allegedly fled after the incident.

Adepoju said investigations established the involvement of the officers, leading to disciplinary proceedings against them.

“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,” he said.

He added that the dismissed officers would subsequently be prosecuted in court on appropriate criminal charges.

The commissioner said the command places a premium on professionalism, accountability, respect for human rights and the protection of lives and property.

Adepoju stressed that the police would not shield officers found to have violated the law, assuring the public that allegations of misconduct would continue to be investigated fairly and professionally.

“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,” he said.

“No police officer is above the law. Let me reassure you that the case will be charged to court.”

The development comes amid continued concerns over alleged extrajudicial killings and abuse of firearms by security personnel, with the Rivers command signalling that disciplinary and criminal proceedings would be pursued against officers found culpable.