Protests Spread In Rivers Over Police Killing Of UNIPORT Graduate

Protests have erupted in parts of Rivers State following the alleged shooting and killing of a 22-year-old driver and fresh graduate of the University of Port Harcourt, Anthony Obodo, by a police officer.

Obodo was allegedly shot dead on Thursday, August 27, 2026, at a police checkpoint at Agip Junction along Ada-George Road in Port Harcourt. The officer involved was identified as Corporal Alfred Louis.

The Rivers State Police Command, in a statement issued by its spokesperson, Blessing Agabe, confirmed the incident, saying an altercation occurred between Obodo and the police officer before the shooting.

Agabe also confirmed that two passers-by sustained injuries during the incident, adding that Louis and members of his team had been detained at the State Criminal Investigations Department (SCID) in Port Harcourt.

LEADERSHIP gathered that at least three protests have been staged over the killing, including demonstrations in Obodo’s hometown, Agba-Ndele in Emohua Local Government Area, and in Port Harcourt, where the incident occurred.

The protesters demanded justice for the deceased, whom they described as one of the brightest young people from the Agba-Ndele community.

Speaking to journalists after a meeting with the state Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, and members of his management team, Obodo’s father, Princewill, alleged that his son was deliberately targeted.

He claimed that the police officers involved had been paid to kill his son, although he provided no evidence to substantiate the allegation.

Princewill, who is the Vice-Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers East Senatorial District, further alleged that the officers had initially been deployed to provide security at the Nigerian Bar Association conference at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium, Elekahia, Port Harcourt, before being redeployed to the area where his son was killed.

He also claimed that police authorities who visited his residence after the incident had told the family that Anthony was innocent.

The police have yet to publicly respond to the latest allegations by the deceased’s father.