Edith CHUKU
More condemnations have continued to trail the killing of a 22-year-old graduate of the University of Port Harcourt, Anthony Obodo, who was shot dead by a trigger-happy police officer.
On Saturday, the people of Rundele in Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State, where he hails from, shutdown the Rundele axis of the East West Road in a protest to demand justice for their son, murdered in cold blood.
The protesters expressed grievance over the incident which happened on Friday, at the Agip-Ada George Junction, in Port Harcourt, demanding prosecution of the officers involved in the act.
The protest caused significant disruption to traffic along the East-West Road, with vehicles unable to pass through the affected section.
Motorists and passengers travelling towards Bayelsa, Delta and Lagos states were advised to seek alternative routes until the situation was brought under control.
A community representative who spoke during the protest insisted that, “it was not accidental discharge, it’s an intentional act.”
He assured that “Rundele will not take laws into their hands. Rundele has told the Commissioner of Police to arrest the perpetrators, the group involved in this.
“As I am talking to you now, they have arrested not only the person’s that killed our son but the group that killed our son. They are before the State CID.”
Meanwhile, the State Police command has issued a statement regarding the incident.
The statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, Agabe Blessing Kaborlo, read “the attention of the Rivers State Police command has been drawn to a video circulating on social media on a shooting incident in which a police officer allegedly shot at a motorist while on wheels, resulting in the death of the occupant.
“Preliminary information indicates that on 27th August 2026, there was an altercation between the occupant, one Anthony Obodo (m) and there was a scuffle between the duo which led to gunshot and subsequently led to the death of the victim, in which two other passersby where injured.
“Following the incident, the alleged officer CPL Alfred Louis was attacked and assaulted by an angry mob, leading to him sustaining multiple injuries in the process. The officers and members of his team, are currently in State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) custody and will face appropriate disciplinary actions in accordance with the law subject to the outcome of the investigation.
“The command wishes to state unequivocally that the action is totally condemnable and does not reflect professionalism in policing and will not relent to carry out strict disciplinary actions against erring police officers.
“The Rivers State Police command is not a shield for anybody engaging in unethical conduct putting the Nigeria Police Force in disrepute.”
