The Rivers State Police Command has concluded plans to dismiss three police officers linked to the killing of a motorist, Anthony Obodo, during a pursuit in Port Harcourt.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, announced this on Wednesday at a press briefing at the Command Headquarters in Port Harcourt.
He said the disciplinary and criminal processes against the officers had been concluded following investigations into the incident.
Adepoju said the three members of the patrol team involved in the incident were arrested and detained at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Port Harcourt, where a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding Obodo’s death was conducted.
He added that efforts have also been intensified to locate and arrest Inspector Solomon Nworgu, who reportedly absconded following the incident.
The Commissioner explained that the incident occurred after the patrol team attempted to stop the vehicle in which Obodo was travelling, but the driver reportedly failed to stop, prompting the officers to give chase before he was eventually fatally shot.
Adepoju said: “I am here to provide updates on some serious incidents recently recorded in the state, including the investigation into the death of one Anthony A. Obodo, a student, following a police pursuit and unfortunate shooting incident, as well as the arrest of suspected members of a one-chance robbery syndicate operating within Port Harcourt and its environs.
“Let me state clearly that the Rivers State Police Command places high premium on professionalism, accountability, respect for human rights and the protection of lives and property. Where allegations of misconduct or criminality are made against police personnel, we will not shield any officer found to have acted outside the law under my watch.”
Adepoju stated that the patrol team consequently gave chase after the vehicle failed to stop.
“During the pursuit, Corporal Alfred Louis, who is attached to the patrol team, opened fire at the vehicle and bullet hit the driver identified as Anthony A. Obodo ‘M’ who sustained gunshot injury.
“The victim was immediately rushed to Palmer’s Hospital, Port Harcourt, where he was attended to and subsequently confirmed dead by the doctor on duty.”
He said the three members of the patrol team were immediately arrested and detained at the SCID, Port Harcourt, where a comprehensive investigation into the case was carried out.
“The three members of the patrol team were immediately arrested and detained at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Port-Harcourt, where a comprehensive investigation into the case was carried out.
“Efforts were also intensified to locate and arrest Insp. Solomon Nwrogu, who reportedly absconded following the incident.”
According to the Commissioner, the investigation established the culpability of the officers involved, leading to their trial in an orderly room and recommendation for dismissal from the Nigeria Police Force.
“Following the conclusion of the investigation and the establishment of the culpability of the officers involved, they have been tried in an orderly room and recommended for dismissal from the Nigeria Police Force.
“They will subsequently be charged to court to face the appropriate criminal charges in accordance with the law.”
Adepoju said the disciplinary action demonstrated the Command’s determination to hold police personnel accountable for misconduct and abuse of power.
“The action taken against these officers demonstrates that the Nigeria Police Force will not shield personnel who abuse the powers entrusted to them or act contrary to the law and professional standards of the Force.
“Let me reiterate that no police officer is above the law. Let me reassure you that the case will be charged to court.”
He said the Command remained committed to professionalism, accountability, respect for human rights and protection of lives and property.
“Where allegations of misconduct or criminality are made against police personnel, we will not shield any officer found to have acted outside the law under my watch.
“This demonstrates our position that misconduct, abuse of office, excessive use of power and violation of the law by police personnel will not be tolerated.”
The Commissioner also disclosed the arrest of five suspected members of one-chance robbery syndicates operating in Port Harcourt and its environs.
He said the arrests followed incessant reports of one-chance robbery incidents within the metropolis, prompting him to direct the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) to intensify intelligence-led operations against the criminal syndicates.
Those arrested were Nelson Idakiniselegha, 30, alias Mandela; Michael Matthew, 29, alias Pilot; Kelly Edison, 30, alias BTC; Daniel Obodo, 18, alias Mazi; and Chisom Unegbu, 28, alias Favour.
According to Adepoju, operatives of the Command stormed a suspected criminal hideout on Niger Street, Port Harcourt, on August 18, 2026, at about 2:45 a.m., where Idakiniselegha was arrested.
He said the suspect subsequently confessed to being a member of a five-man one-chance robbery syndicate and provided information that aided further arrests.
“Following incessant reports of one-chance robbery incidents within the Port Harcourt metropolis and its environs, I directed the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) to intensify intelligence-led operations against the criminal syndicates.
“Acting on actionable intelligence, operatives of the Command, on 18th August 2026 at about 0245hrs, stormed a suspected criminal hideout within Niger Street, Port Harcourt, where one Nelson Idakiniselegha ‘M’, alias Mandela, aged 30 years, was arrested.”
Adepoju said the suspect, who hails from Nkoro Town, Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area of Rivers State, also disclosed the existence of another four-man one-chance robbery syndicate operating along Garrison, Aba Road, Rumuola, Air Force, Rumuokwurusi, Obiri-Ikwerre and Choba axes of Port Harcourt.
Further investigation, he said, led to the arrest of Matthew on August 23, 2026, at about 10:30 p.m.
“During interrogation, the suspect, who hails from Nkoro Town, Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area of Rivers State, confessed to being a member of a five-man one-chance robbery syndicate.
“The suspect further disclosed the existence of another four-man one-chance robbery syndicate operating along Garrison, Aba Road, Rumuola, Air Force, Rumuokwurusi, Obiri-Ikwerre and Choba axes of Port Harcourt.”
The Commissioner said Matthew was identified as a member of the Iceland cult group and the ring leader of one of the syndicates operating around Aba Road, East-West Road, Choba and NTA Road axes of Port Harcourt.
Edison and Daniel Obodo were also arrested at their respective hideouts in connection with the alleged one-chance robbery syndicates, while Unegbu, said to be the driver of the syndicate, was arrested at a hotel on Aker Road, Port Harcourt, on August 24.
“Further investigation led to the arrest of Michael Matthew ‘M’, alias Pilot, aged 29 years, on 23rd August 2026 at about 2230hrs.
“The suspect was identified as a member of the Iceland cult group and the ring leader of one of the syndicates operating around Aba Road, East-West Road, Choba and NTA Road axes of Port Harcourt.”
The police recovered a black-and-white mini-bus with registration number RGM 823 XE, suspected to have been used by the syndicate, as well as 16 assorted mobile phones suspected to have been stolen from victims.
Adepoju said investigation revealed that Idakiniselegha specialised in extracting SIM cards from victims and allegedly using them to facilitate unauthorised withdrawals from their bank accounts.
He said efforts were ongoing to identify and arrest other members of the syndicates, dismantle their networks, identify their victims and recover other proceeds of crime.
“Let me assure the good people of Rivers State that we will not relent in our efforts to dismantle criminal networks responsible for one-chance robberies, kidnapping, armed robbery, cult-related activities and other violent crimes within the State.
“Any suspect found culpable after thorough investigation will be charged to court in accordance with the law.”
The Commissioner urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious persons, vehicles, criminal activities and incidents of police misconduct through appropriate channels.
He also appealed to residents to avoid taking the law into their own hands, urging them to alert the police whenever incidents occur and allow the law to take its course.
On the death of Obodo, Adepoju said the officers involved had been dismissed from the Force and would face prosecution.
“On the incident involving the death of Anthony A. Obodo, I understand the concerns of his family and members of the public. The Command has taken appropriate disciplinary action against the police personnel involved and the officers being paraded today have been dismissed from the Nigeria Police Force and will be charged to court.
“This demonstrates our position that misconduct, abuse of office, excessive use of power and violation of the law by police personnel will not be tolerated.”
He added that the Rivers State Police Command remained committed to professionalism, accountability, transparency, respect for human rights and service to the people.
