Family members and friends of a 22-year-old University of Port Harcourt graduate, Anthony Obodo, have continued to protest his death, demanding justice over his alleged shooting by a police officer in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

The protest entered its third day on Tuesday as the deceased’s relatives, friends and other supporters gathered at the Ada George-Agip Junction axis, where the incident occurred.

Obodo was reportedly driving a private car last Thursday, August 27, when policemen at a checkpoint allegedly flagged him down. According to reports, the officers chased after him, alleging that he failed to stop.

During the incident, one of the police operatives reportedly fired three shots in his direction, with one of the bullets hitting Obodo while he was inside his vehicle. He was subsequently taken to a hospital, where he was confirmed dead.

The Rivers State Police Command identified the suspected shooter as Corporal Alfred Louis and said he and other officers involved in the incident had been arrested.

Police spokesperson Blessing Agabe said youths had attacked the officer after the incident and taken his rifle, but other operatives later rescued him and recovered the weapon.

However, Obodo’s family and friends have rejected any attempt to allow the matter to fade away, insisting that the officer responsible must face justice.

During Tuesday’s protest, the demonstrators carried placards with messages demanding justice for the deceased and questioning the safety of citizens in the hands of those expected to protect them.

One of the protest leaders, Charles Chukwu, called on the Rivers State Government, the Inspector-General of Police and other relevant authorities to intervene in the matter and ensure that those responsible are prosecuted.

Chukwu also urged the police hierarchy to parade the officer who allegedly fired the fatal shot, saying this would reassure the family and members of the public that the suspect was not being protected.

Addressing the protesters, the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, appealed for calm and condemned the conduct of the officers involved. He assured the protesters that the police would not cover up the incident and that disciplinary action was already being taken against those arrested.

The deceased’s father, Princewill Obodo, also demanded justice for his son, insisting that Anthony was innocent. He said he was informed that the policemen involved had originally been deployed to provide security at the Nigerian Bar Association’s Annual General Conference in Port Harcourt but allegedly left their duty post.

The grieving father described the death as devastating to the family, saying they had been left heartbroken since the incident.

The family and friends have therefore continued to call for a transparent investigation and prosecution of anyone found responsible for Anthony Obodo’s death, while the police have assured that the case will be properly handled.