By News Desk
PORT HARCOURT, Nigeria — Angry youths have staged a protest at the Agip Police Division along the Ada-George axis in Obio-Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State following the alleged shooting and killing of a young graduate by a police officer.
The victim, identified as Anthony Obodo, was a graduate of the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) awaiting his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) call-up letter. According to family members and residents, Obodo was using his vehicle to offer commercial transport services to earn money ahead of his mobilization when the incident occurred at Agip Junction.
Accounts of the Incident and Protests
Varying reports have emerged detailing the events that led to the fatal shooting at the busy junction:
Witness accounts indicate that police officers on patrol intercepted Obodo’s vehicle. Some residents alleged that officers demanded money from the driver, and upon his refusal, an officer opened fire on the vehicle. Other accounts suggested that the driver failed to stop immediately when flagged down, prompting an officer to shoot from behind, piercing his chest. The gunfire caused the vehicle to lose control, injuring three passengers, while a stray bullet struck a roadside Point of Sale operator. Obodo was rushed to Palmas Hospital, where he was confirmed dead.
Outraged by the incident, local youths stormed the local police station to demand justice, accusing the police of harassing and killing innocent citizens while falsely labeling them as criminal elements.
Family Response and Police Intervention
The victim’s family and senior police representatives have responded to the public outrage:
The deceased’s father, Princewill Obodo, rejected claims attempting to label his son as a internet fraudster, emphasizing that Anthony was a hardworking graduate trying to support himself legitimately. Addressing the protesting youths at the Agip Police Division, a senior police officer appealed for calm, confirming that the officers allegedly involved in the shooting had been taken into custody for investigation.
