The death of a student, Anthony A. Obodo, during a police pursuit in Port Harcourt has led to the dismissal of four police officers, with the Rivers State Police Command ordering that they be prosecuted for alleged criminal offences.

The Commissioner of Police, Rivers State Command, Olugbenga Adepoju, announced the disciplinary action yesterday during a press briefing at the Command Headquarters in Port Harcourt.

The affected officers are ASP Fabian Kpeanabari, Inspector Solomon Nwrogu, Corporal Alfred Louis and Police Constable Michael Ejokwu.

According to Adepoju, the incident occurred on August 27, 2026, at about 5:30 p.m., when a patrol team from the Agip Division, led by Kpeanabari, sighted a black, fully tinted Lexus with registration number ABU-376-TM.

He said the officers attempted to stop the vehicle for a routine check, but the driver allegedly sped away, prompting the patrol team to give chase.

Adepoju said that during the pursuit, Corporal Louis opened fire at the vehicle, with a bullet hitting the driver, identified as Obodo.

The injured student was rushed to Palmer’s Hospital in Port Harcourt, where he received medical attention before a doctor on duty confirmed his death.

The Commissioner said three of the officers were immediately arrested and detained at the State Criminal Investigation Department, while efforts were intensified to locate Inspector Nwrogu, who allegedly absconded after the incident.

He said the investigation established the officers’ culpability, leading to an orderly-room trial and a recommendation for their dismissal from the Nigeria Police Force.

“No police officer is above the law,” Adepoju said, adding that the dismissed officers would also face criminal charges in court.

The Commissioner expressed condolences to the Obodo family and assured them that the command would ensure justice was served.

Meanwhile, the command announced the arrest of five suspected members of a ‘one-chance’ robbery syndicate allegedly operating in Port Harcourt and its environs.

The suspects were identified as Nelson Idakiniseleg ha, aka Mandela; Michael Matthew, aka Pilot; Kelly Edison, aka BTC; Daniel Obodo, aka Mazi; and Chisom Unegbu, aka Favour.

Adepoju said the suspects were arrested during intelligence-led operations and linked to alleged robbery activities around Garrison, Aba Road, Rumuola, Air Force, Rumuokwurusi, Obiri-Ikwerre, Choba, East-West Road and NTA Road.

A black-and-white minibus with registration number RGM 823 XE, allegedly used by the syndicate, was recovered alongside 16 assorted mobile phones suspected to have been stolen from victims.

The Commissioner said one of the suspects allegedly specialised in removing SIM cards from victims and using them to facilitate unauthorised withdrawals from their bank accounts.

He said investigations were ongoing to identify other members of the syndicate, trace victims and recover other proceeds of crime.

Adepoju assured residents that the command would sustain intelligence-led operations against one-chance robbery, kidnapping, armed robbery, cult-related activities and other violent crimes across the state.

He also urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious persons, vehicles and criminal activities to the police, while cautioning members of the public against taking the law into their own hands.