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• “No officer is above the law” — CP Adepoju
The Rivers State Police Command has dismissed four of its personnel over the fatal shooting of a student, Anthony A. Obodo, during a pursuit in Port Harcourt, and arrested five suspected members of a one-chance robbery and cult syndicate operating in the state capital.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, disclosed this on Thursday during a press briefing at the Command Headquarters in Port Harcourt.
Adepoju said the incident occurred on August 27, 2026, at about 5:30pm.
He said a patrol team from Agip Division, led by ASP Fabian Kpeanabari, was returning from special duty at Yakubu Gowon Stadium when it sighted a black, fully tinted Lexus with registration number ABU-376-TM.
“Upon sighting the vehicle, the team attempted to stop it, but it allegedly sped off in an attempt to evade being checked. The patrol team consequently gave a chase,” the CP stated.
During the pursuit, Corporal Alfred Louis, who was attached to the team, “opened fire at the vehicle and bullet hit the driver identified as Anthony A. Obodo who sustained gunshot injury.”
Obodo was rushed to Palmer’s Hospital, Port Harcourt, where he was confirmed dead by doctors.
The CP said three members of the patrol team — ASP Kpeanabari, Cpl Louis and PC Michael Ejiekwu — were immediately arrested and detained at the State CID.
He said efforts were intensified to arrest Inspector Solomon Nworgu, who reportedly absconded after the incident.
“Following the conclusion of the investigation and the establishment of the culpability of the officers involved, they have been tried in orderly room and recommended for dismissal from the Nigeria Police Force,” Adepoju said.
He added that the dismissed officers, including the one at large, would subsequently be charged to court.
“I sincerely condole with the family at this trying period and reaffirm that the needful will be done to ensure justice is served. Let me reiterate that no police officer is above the law,” the CP said.
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In a separate operation, the Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit arrested five suspected one-chance robbers linked to attacks across Port Harcourt and its environs.
Those paraded were: Nelson Idakiniselegha, ‘aka Mandela’, 30; Michael Matthew, ‘aka Pilot’, 29; Kelly Edison, ‘aka BTC’, 30; Daniel Obodo, ‘aka Mazi’, 18; and Chisom Unegbu, ‘aka Favour’, 28.
Adepoju said the first suspect was arrested on August 18, 2026, at about 2:45am in a hideout on Niger Street. He allegedly confessed to belonging to a five-man syndicate and named another four-man group operating along Garrison, Aba Road, Rumuola, Air Force, Rumuokwurusi, Obiri-Ikwerre and Choba axes.
Further arrests followed on August 23 and August 24. Michael Matthew was identified as a member of the Iceland cult group and ring leader of one of the syndicates operating around Aba Road, East-West Road, Choba and NTA Road.
Exhibits recovered include one black-and-white Keke mini-bus with Reg. No. RGM 823XE and 16 assorted mobile phones suspected to have been stolen from victims.
The CP said investigations revealed that Idakiniselegha “specialized in extracting SIM cards from victims and using same to facilitate unauthorized withdrawals from victims’ bank accounts.”
“In total, 14 suspects of one-chance have been arrested. Efforts are ongoing to identify and arrest other members of the syndicates,” he added.
The Commissioner of Police reassured residents that the Command “places high premium on professionalism, accountability, respect for human rights and the protection of lives and property.”
“We will not shield any officer found to have acted outside the law under my watch. At the same time, we will ensure that every investigation is conducted professionally, fairly and objectively, so that justice is served,” he said.
He urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious persons, vehicles, and cases of police misconduct through appropriate channels, and to “avoid taking law into their own hands.”
“The Rivers State Police Command under my leadership remains committed to professionalism, accountability, transparency, respect for human rights and service to the people. Together we will continue to work towards a safer and more secure Rivers state,” the CP concluded.
