By: Awajis Josiah-Chijindu
The Rivers State Police Command has dismissed four officers involved in the shooting that led to the death of a student, Anthony Obodo, during a police pursuit in Port Harcourt.
The Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, made this known during a press briefing at the Command's Headquarters in Port Harcourt.
The CP said the officers have been recommended for dismissal after an orderly room trial and will be charged to court.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner says it has arrested 14 suspected members of one-chance robbery syndicates operating in Port Harcourt and its environs.
Police recovered a mini-bus allegedly used by the syndicate and 16 mobile phones suspected to have been stolen from victims.
He assured residents that the Command would intensify intelligence-led operations to dismantle criminal networks across the state.
CP Adepoju also urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious persons, vehicles and criminal activities to the police.
The statement below 👇
PRESS BRIEFING BY THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, RIVERS STATE COMMAND, CP OLUGBENGA A. ADEPOJU, PSC, MNIPS, FCAI, AT THE RIVERS STATE POLICE COMMAND HEADQUARTERS
Ladies and Gentlemen of the Press, Good afternoon.
Welcome to today's press briefing.
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 'Male' 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.
At the same time, we will ensure that every investigation is conducted professionally, fairly and objectively, so that justice is served.
I sincerely condole with the family at this trying period and re affirm that the needful will be done to ensure justice is served.
1. FIRST IS THE CASE OF MURDER ARISING FROM POLICE PURSUIT AND SHOOTING.
POLICE PERSONNEL INVOLVED ARE CURRENTLY UNDER OUR DETENTION
1. ASP FABΙΑΝ ΚΡΕΑΝΑBARI
2. INSP. SOLOMON NWROGU
3. CPL. ALFRED LOUIS
4. PC. MICHAEL EJEKWU
FACTS OF THE CASE: On 27th August 2026, at about
1730hrs, patrol team from Agip Division, led by ASP Fabian Kpeanabari, was returning from NBA special duty at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium when the team sighted a black fully tinted Lexus vehicle with registration number: Reg ABU-376-TM.
Upon sighting the vehicle, the team attempted to stop the vehicle but allegedly sped off in an attempt to evade being checked. The patrol team consequently gave a chase.
During the pursuit, Corpal 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.
The Three members of the patrol team were immediately arrested and detained at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Port-Harcourt, where comprehensive investigation into the case was carried out. a
Efforts were also intensified to locate and arrest INSP.
Solomon Nwrogu, who reportedly absconded following the incident.
OUTCOME OF THE INVESTIGATION: Following the conclusion of the investigation and the establishment of the culpability of the officers involved. They have been tried in orderly room with the other officer at large 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.
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.
2. ON THE CASE OF CONSPIRACY, KIDNAPPING, ARMED ROBBERY AND ONE-CHANCE ROBBERY
INVOLVING SUSPECTED CULT MEMBERS:
SUSPECTS ARRESTED: ARE;
1. NELSON IDAKINISELEGHA 'M', AKA MANDELA, 30 YEARS
2. MICHAEL MATTHEW 'M', AKA PILOT, 29 YEARS
3. KELLY EDISON 'M', AKA BTC, 30 YEARS
4. DANIEL OBODO 'M', AKA MAZI, 18 YEARS
5. CHISOM UNEGBU 'M', AKA FAVOUR, 28 YEARS
ALL FIVE (5) IN NUMBER
EXHIBITS RECOVERED
1. One (1) Keke mini-bus with Registration No. RGM 823XE, Black and White colour.
2. Sixteen (16) assorted mobile phones, suspected to have been stolen from victims.
FACTS OF THE CASE: 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 Idakiniseleg ha 'M', ΑΚΑ Mandela, aged 30 years, was arrested.
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 (4) 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 led to the arrest of Michael Matthew 'M', AKA 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.
Similarly, Kelly Edison 'M', AKA BTC, aged 30 years and Daniel Obodo 'M', AKA Mazi, aged 18 years, were arrested at their respective hideouts in connection with the alleged one-chance robbery syndicates.
During investigation, the suspects confessed to their involvement in the criminal activities.
Investigation further revealed that Nelson Idakiniseleg ha, the first suspect, specialized in extracting SIM cards from victims and using same to facilitate unauthorized withdrawals from victims' bank accounts.
On 24th August 2026, at about 13:20hrs, one Chisom Unegbu 'M', AKA Favour, aged 28 years, identified as the driver of the syndicate, was arrested in an Hotel at Aker Road, Port Harcourt.
A mini-bus with Registration No. RGM 823 XE, black and white in colour, suspected to have been used as the operational vehicle of the syndicate, was recovered.
Also recovered were sixteen (16) assorted mobile phones, suspected to be mobile phones dispossessed from victims during the alleged one chance robbery.
And other one chance robbery syndicates.
In total fourteen (14) suspects of one chance.
Efforts are ongoing to identify and arrest other members of the syndicates, dismantle their network, identify and trace their victims and recover other proceeds of crime. in them custody.
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.
Ladies and Gentlemen, let me use this opportunity to reassure the good people of Rivers State that the Nigeria Police Force, Rivers State Command, remains firmly committed to protecting lives and property and ensuring the safety and security of all residents.
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.
On the fight against one-chance robbery and other violent crimes, our tactical and investigative units have been directed to sustain intelligence-led operations aimed at dismantling criminal networks across Port Harcourt and other parts of the State.
I therefore urge members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious persons, vehicles, criminal activities and incidents of police misconduct through the appropriate channels.
I also appeal to residents to avoid taking law into their own hands. Whenever an incident occurs, alert the police and allow the law to take its course.
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.
Thank you, and God bless you.
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