Family, friends protest over UNIPORT graduate’s killing

For the third consecutive day, Anthony Obodo’s family and friends protested at the Port Harcourt junction where the 22-year-old was allegedly shot by police.

The University of Port Harcourt graduate was driving a private car near the Ada George-Agip Junction last Thursday when officers at a checkpoint reportedly flagged him down. Police then chased him, alleging that he refused to stop. One officer allegedly fired three shots, and a bullet struck Obodo inside the car. The hospital later confirmed his death.

The Rivers State Police Command identified the suspected shooter as Corporal Alfred Louis. Its spokesperson, Blessing Agabe, said youths attacked the officer and took his rifle, but other officers rescued him and recovered the weapon. Louis and the other officers involved in the shooting were arrested, she said.

At Tuesday’s protest along Ada George Road, demonstrators carried placards accusing the police of failing to protect citizens. They demanded that the suspected shooter be paraded publicly, saying this would reassure the family and the wider community that the police would not shield him.

Charles Chukwu, one of the protest leaders, said the protesters would not remain silent while the officer responsible for Obodo’s death went unpunished. He called on the Rivers State Government, the police hierarchy, the Inspector General of Police, the state Chief Judge, and civil society groups to intervene and help secure justice.

“We are saddened by the sudden death of our brother, master Anthony Obodo, who was killed on Thursday, 27th August 2026,” Chukwu said. “The Police flagged Anthony down and a blood-thirsty officer met the young boy, shot him thrice. He was later confirmed dead.”

The protesters also challenged police leaders to parade the officer who fired the fatal shot, saying that doing so would demonstrate that the command was not shielding him from prosecution.

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We are saddened by the sudden death of our brother, master Anthony Obodo, who was killed on Thursday, 27th August 2026. The Police flagged Anthony down and a blood-thirsty officer met the young boy, shot him thrice. He was later confirmed dead.