The Rivers State Police Command has dismissed four police officers for their alleged involvement in the murder of a recent graduate of the University of Port Harcourt, Anthony Obodo.
Obodo was shot dead in Ada George area near Agip Junction, Port Harcourt, last Thursday.
The Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, disclosed this on Wednesday during a press briefing at the command headquarters in Port Harcourt.
Adepoju said the four officers had been subjected to disciplinary procedures after investigations determined their culpability in the incident.
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He said that “the command would not protect any personnel who had acted outside the law”, stressing that professionalism, accountability, respect for human rights and the protection of life and property remained the command’s priorities.
The police commissioner explained that the incident occurred when a police patrol attempted to stop a vehicle driven by the late Obodo, who allegedly refused to stop, leading to a chase.
According to him, during the chase, one of the officers assigned to the patrol, Corporal Alfred Louis, allegedly opened fire on the vehicle, causing Obodo’s death.
Meanwhile, Adepoju announced the arrest of five suspected members of a one-shot robbery syndicate operating in and around Port Harcourt.
The suspects were identified as Nelson Idakiniseleg, also known as Mandela, 30; Michael Matthew, also known as Pilot, 29; Kelly Edison, also known as BTC, 30; Daniel Obodo, also known as Mazi, 18 years old; and Chisom Unegbu, also known as Favour, 28.
He said the suspects were arrested following sustained intelligence-led operations by the Violent Crime Response Unit in response to reports of one-time robberies within the Port Harcourt metropolis.