The Rivers State Police Command has dismissed three officers linked to the controversial killing of 22-year-old University of Port Harcourt graduate, Anthony Obodo, in Port Harcourt.
The command also declared an inspector who allegedly fled the scene after the shooting a deserter, as the three dismissed officers are set to face criminal prosecution.
Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, announced the disciplinary action on Wednesday while parading the three dismissed officers before journalists in Port Harcourt.
Adepoju said the decision followed the conclusion of an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Obodoās death and the establishment of the culpability of the officers involved.
āThe officers being paraded today have been dismissed from the Nigeria Police Force and will be charged to court,ā the Commissioner said.
The development came less than a week after Obodo was shot dead along the Ada George axis of Port Harcourt on August 27, 2026, in an incident that triggered outrage, protests and demands for accountability from his family and members of the community.
Obodo was killed at the Agip-Ada George Junction during an encounter with police officers.
According to witnesses and family members, police officers flagged down Obodoās vehicle but allegedly opened fire after pursuing him when he did not stop immediately.
The police, however, provided a different account, maintaining that a scuffle and altercation occurred before the fatal shot was fired.
Two passers-by were also injured during the incident.
Obodo, a recent graduate of the University of Port Harcourt, was described by his family as innocent of any wrongdoing. His relatives have strongly denied allegations that he committed any offence that could have warranted the manner in which the operation was carried out.
The circumstances of his death sparked anger across Port Harcourt, with youths and community members taking to the streets to demand justice.
Protesters blocked Agip Road and parts of the East-West Road around the Ada-George area, causing major traffic disruptions as demonstrations continued for several days.
The protesters, alongside Obodoās family, demanded a transparent investigation, the public parade of the police officers allegedly involved in the shooting and their immediate prosecution.
They also warned against any attempt to suppress information or cover up the circumstances surrounding the graduateās death.
The protests and public pressure came as the Rivers State Police Command launched an investigation into the conduct of the officers involved in the operation.
The conclusion of that investigation has now resulted in the dismissal of three officers from the Nigeria Police Force.
The command also declared the inspector who allegedly fled the scene after the shooting a deserter, paving the way for further disciplinary action against him.
While the three dismissed officers are expected to face criminal prosecution, the police have yet to announce the specific charges that will be filed against them or the date of their arraignment.
The disciplinary action represents a significant development in a case that has generated widespread public concern over police accountability and the use of firearms during operations.
For Obodoās family and protesters who had demanded justice, however, the dismissal of the officers may only be the beginning, with attention now turning to the promised criminal prosecution and whether those found culpable will ultimately be held accountable before the law.