The Rivers State Police Command has detained a police officer, Corporal Alfred Louis, and members of his team over the alleged shooting and killing of a young driver, Anthony Obodo, in Port Harcourt.
The incident occurred on Thursday night at the popular Agip Junction along Ada-George Road in the Rivers State capital and also left two passers-by injured.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, Blessing Agabe, said in a statement issued in Port Harcourt that the officers were being detained at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) pending the outcome of an investigation.
According to Agabe, preliminary findings showed that an altercation occurred between Louis and Obodo, which reportedly resulted in a scuffle and gunshot that killed the driver and injured two passers-by.
She said the officer was subsequently attacked and assaulted by an angry mob, sustaining multiple injuries in the process.
“The attention of the Rivers State Police Command has been drawn to a video circulating on social media on a shooting incident in which a police officer allegedly shot at a motorist while on wheels, resulting in the death of the occupant,” the statement said.
Agabe added that the officer and members of his team would face appropriate disciplinary action in accordance with the law, subject to the outcome of the investigation.
The Command condemned the incident, saying such conduct was unacceptable and did not reflect professionalism in policing.
It also assured the public that it would take strict disciplinary action against any officer found to have acted improperly.
“The Rivers State Police Command is not a shield for anybody engaging in unethical conduct putting the Nigeria Police Force in disrepute,” the statement added.