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A policeman attached to the Rivers State Police Command, Alfred Louis, has allegedly shot and killed a motorist simply identified as Anthony Obodo at the Agip-Ada George Junction in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Saturday PUNCH gathered that the incident occurred at about 5pm on Thursday when Louis, who was with his colleagues, allegedly shot at the motorist after he claimed that Obodo refused to stop after being flagged down at the junction.
It was gathered that the policeman fired three shots, one of which hit the young man in the back and pierced his chest.
The victim reportedly lost control of the vehicle, veered off the road and crashed into three persons, who sustained serious injuries.
The incident caused pandemonium in the area as passers-by and residents rushed to the vehicle and brought out the victim, who was unconscious and covered in blood.
An eyewitness, who spoke on condition of anonymity on Friday, said the policemen attempted to chase the vehicle before the shooting.
The eyewitness said the policeman subsequently shot sporadically into the air while attempting to escape but was held by some youths in the area.
“It was around 5pm, the police officers close to Agip/Ada George Junction stopped a young man who was driving, but he didn’t stop. So, they started running after him. Next thing, one of the policemen started shooting.
“He (trigger-happy cop) shot three times. The bullet hit the driver from behind and pierced his chest. The vehicle lost control and hit people, about three of them.
“There was confusion and people were shouting and running. Some people brought the driver out and rushed him to the hospital close to the junction where he died,” the source explained.
He continued, “After shooting the driver, the policeman started shooting sporadically in the air
Meanwhile, the spokesperson of the state Police Command, Blessing Agabe, in a statement, confirmed the incident, saying the police corporal and other officers who were with him during the incident had been arrested.
Agabe, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, further stated that the arrested officers would face appropriate disciplinary action, adding that they had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department.
“Preliminary information indicates that on 27th August 2026, there was an altercation between the occupant, one Anthony Obodo (m), and there was a scuffle between the duo which led to gun shoot and subsequently led to the death of the victim, in which two other passers-by were injured.
“Following the incident, the alleged officer CPL Alfred Louis was attacked and assaulted by an angry mob, leading to him sustaining multiple injuries in the process.
“The officer and members of his team are currently in State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department and will face appropriate disciplinary actions in accordance with the law, subject to the outcome of the investigation.
“The Command wishes to state unequivocally that the action is totally condemnable and does not reflect professionalism in policing and will not relent to carry out strict disciplinary actions against erring police officers,” the statement read.
