Family, friends protest over UNIPORT graduate’s killing

Protests have persisted for three days in Port Harcourt over the alleged killing of Anthony Obodo, a University of Port Harcourt graduate. On Thursday, August 27th, 2026, police officers allegedly chased Anthony, who was driving a private car, after he refused to stop at a checkpoint. One of the officers allegedly fired three shots, one of which struck Anthony in the car, resulting in his death.

The officer involved, Corporal Alfred Louis, and other officers have been arrested. The family and friends of the 22-year-old staged a protest at the same location where the incident occurred, demanding justice. They carried placards with messages such as "We are not safe anymore, Anthony Obodo was a friend, brother and son. Give us Justice" and "Give us justice or give us nothing".

The protesters, led by Charles Chukwu, vowed not to remain silent while the responsible officer remained unpunished, urging the Rivers State Government, police hierarchy, and state Chief Judge to intervene and bring justice. The State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, called for calm and assured that appropriate disciplinary action was being taken against the arrested officers.

The father of the deceased, Mr. Princewill Obodo, expressed his son's innocence, stating that the officers involved in his death had been deployed to provide security at an event and left their duty post to commit the crime.