FAMILY DEMANDS JUSTICE AS FATHER ACCUSES POLICEMEN OF ABANDONING NBA DUTY POST BEFORE GRADUATE’S DEATH

The family and friends of 22-year-old University of Port Harcourt graduate, Anthony Obodo, have continued to demand justice over his alleged killing by policemen in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

The latest demand followed another protest by the deceased’s relatives and associates at the Ada George-Agip Junction, where the incident occurred on Thursday, August 27, 2026. The protesters said they would not stop demanding accountability until the officers allegedly responsible for Obodo’s death are properly investigated and prosecuted.

According to reports, Obodo was driving his private vehicle when policemen stationed at a checkpoint allegedly flagged him down. The officers were said to have pursued him after accusing him of failing to stop, before one of them allegedly fired three shots in the direction of his vehicle.

One of the bullets reportedly struck Obodo while he was still inside the car. He was subsequently rushed to a hospital for treatment, but was later confirmed dead. The circumstances surrounding the shooting have since triggered protests and widespread demands for an investigation into the conduct of the officers involved.

The Rivers State Police Command has identified the officer alleged to have fired the fatal shots as Corporal Alfred Louis. The command said the officer and other policemen connected to the incident had been arrested and detained.

The police also stated that youths attacked Louis following the shooting and took away his rifle, but other security operatives later intervened, rescued the officer and recovered the weapon. The command has maintained that the officers involved would face appropriate disciplinary action if found culpable.

During the latest protest, demonstrators carried placards calling for justice for the deceased. They accused the police of failing in their responsibility to protect citizens and demanded that the officer alleged to have fired the fatal shot be publicly identified and brought to justice.

One of the protest leaders, Charles Chukwu, called on the Rivers State Government, the Inspector-General of Police, the state judiciary and civil society organisations to intervene in the matter. He said the family and friends of Obodo would not remain silent while the circumstances surrounding his death remained unresolved.

Responding to the protesters, the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, appealed for calm and condemned the conduct of the officers involved. He assured the protesters that the police would not shield any officer found responsible for the death.

Adepoju disclosed that the officers had been arrested and detained since the incident, adding that disciplinary measures would be taken against anyone found culpable. He also assured the family that the command was committed to ensuring that justice was served.

However, Obodo’s father, Princewill Obodo, has raised another serious allegation concerning the whereabouts of the officers before the shooting. He claimed that the policemen involved had originally been deployed to provide security at the Nigerian Bar Association’s Annual General Conference held at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium in Elekahia, Port Harcourt.

According to the grieving father, the Divisional Police Officer informed him that the officers were expected to remain at the NBA conference venue and return to their designated duty post by 7pm. He alleged that the officers instead left their assignment before the incident involving his son occurred.

The father said he was informed that the DPO was surprised to learn that the officers had left the NBA security assignment and subsequently became involved in the incident at Ada George. He maintained that his son was innocent and deserved justice.

Obodo also said the Police Area Commander and the DPO had confirmed that his son was not at fault, strengthening his demand for a thorough investigation into what happened. He appealed to Nigerians and relevant authorities to support the family’s demand for justice.

The father described the death as devastating for the entire family, saying he had been unable to find peace since his son was killed. He said the family remained deeply traumatised by the loss and was determined to pursue justice.

Meanwhile, protests over Obodo’s death have continued for several days, with family members and friends maintaining pressure on the authorities. The protesters want the police investigation to be transparent and for any officer found responsible to face the full consequences of the law.

The case has also renewed concerns about police conduct during stop-and-search operations and the use of firearms against civilians. The family’s allegation that officers may have abandoned an assigned security duty before becoming involved in the fatal encounter is expected to form part of the questions surrounding the incident.

As the investigation continues, the family is calling for accountability, while the police command has assured the public that the officers involved are already in custody and that no one found culpable will be protected.