The Rivers State Police Command has dismissed three officers linked to the fatal shooting of a University of Port Harcourt graduate, Anthony A. Obodo, during a police pursuit in Port Harcourt.
The dismissed officers are ASP Fabian Kpeanabari, Corporal Alfred Louis and Police Constable Michael Ejokwu.
They were dismissed after an investigation established their culpability and will be charged to court, the command said.
Parading the officers at the State Police Command headquarters in Port Harcourt on Wednesday, the Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, also disclosed that Inspector Solomon Nwrogu, who allegedly fled after the shooting, had been declared a deserter.
According to the police, the incident occurred on August 27 when a patrol team from Agip Division, led by Kpeanabari, attempted to stop a black, tinted Lexus with registration number ABU-376-TM.
The vehicle allegedly sped away, prompting the officers to give chase. During the pursuit, Corporal Louis allegedly opened fire, hitting Obodo, who was driving the vehicle.
The victim was rushed to Palmer’s Hospital, Port Harcourt, where he was pronounced dead.
Adepoju said the officers were subjected to disciplinary proceedings after the incident, adding that the command would not shield personnel found to have violated the law.
“No police officer is above the law,” the commissioner said, assuring Obodo’s family that the case would be prosecuted.
Adepoju also announced the arrest of 14 suspects linked to alleged one-chance robbery and other violent crimes in Port Harcourt and its environs.
Among those paraded were Nelson Idakiniseleg ha, 30, alias Mandela; Michael Matthew, 29, alias Pilot; Kelly Edison, 30, alias BTC; Daniel Obodo, 18, alias Mazi; and Chisom Unegbu, 28, alias Favour.
The police recovered a black-and-white Keke mini-bus with registration number RGM 823 XE, allegedly used by the syndicate, as well as 16 mobile phones suspected to have been stolen from victims.
Adepoju said the suspects were allegedly involved in robbery operations along Aba Road, Choba, NTA Road, East-West Road and other parts of Port Harcourt.
He said investigations were ongoing to identify other members of the syndicates, trace their victims and recover other proceeds of crime.
The commissioner assured residents that the command would sustain intelligence-led operations against one-chance robbery, kidnapping, armed robbery, cult-related activities and other violent crimes across Rivers State.
