A young motorist identified as Anthony was killed at the Agip-Ada George junction in Port Harcourt after a police officer allegedly opened fire, leaving three bystanders injured

A police shooting in Port Harcourt on Thursday, August 27, 2026, left a young motorist identified as Anthony dead and three other people seriously injured after a yet-to-be-identified police officer allegedly opened fire at the Agip-Ada George junction.

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The incident, which occurred at about 5pm in Rivers State, reportedly began when police officers stationed around the junction attempted to stop Anthony, who was driving a private car.

Witnesses said the officers pursued the vehicle after Anthony allegedly failed to stop when flagged down. During the pursuit, one of the officers reportedly fired three shots.

One of the bullets struck Anthony from behind and reportedly pierced through his chest. The impact caused him to lose control of the vehicle, which veered off the road and crashed into three people near the junction.

The injured bystanders were rushed for medical attention, while Anthony was pulled from the vehicle by residents and passers-by. He was unconscious and covered in blood when he was taken to a nearby hospital, where he was later pronounced dead, according to eyewitness accounts. (Punch Newspapers)

The shooting triggered panic around the busy junction, with residents and business owners gathering as details of the incident emerged. A video circulated online also showed people gathered around the scene following the shooting. (westafricaweekly.com)

An eyewitness, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the officer appeared to fire at the vehicle after the driver failed to stop.

“The police officers close to Agip/Ada George Junction stopped a young man who was driving, but he didn’t stop. So, they started running after him. Next thing, one of the policemen started shooting,” the eyewitness said.

“He shot three times. The bullet hit the driver from behind and pierced his chest. The vehicle lost control and hit people, about three of them.”

The witness further alleged that the officer fired into the air while attempting to leave the area after the shooting.

According to the account, some youths confronted the officer, disarmed him and began beating him before other police personnel arrived and rescued him. The circumstances surrounding the officer’s actions and whether he has been detained remain unclear pending an official police account. (Punch Newspapers)

The incident has also prompted concern over reports circulating on social media about Anthony’s identity and alleged activities.

Princewill Obodo, identified as the deceased’s father, rejected claims that his son was a “Yahoo boy”, saying such descriptions were being circulated without verification. Obodo said Anthony was a degree holder awaiting deployment under the National Youth Service Scheme.

“The issue at hand is a clear case of Murder. I have told the Police so too,” Obodo said, adding that even an allegation of wrongdoing would not justify killing someone.

His comments add an important human dimension to an incident that has already generated anger and speculation online. The circumstances of Anthony’s death, however, remain subject to the outcome of the police investigation.

The reported shooting also comes amid renewed public attention on the Nigeria Police Force’s rules governing the use of firearms. Force Order 237 sets out the circumstances under which officers may use force and firearms, including situations involving self-defence, preventing escape and stopping serious threats. (Scribd)

The issue has received further attention in recent weeks after Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Rilwan Disu addressed officers’ authority to use firearms during a stakeholders’ meeting in Makurdi, Benue State.

The Nigeria Police Force subsequently clarified that Disu had not issued a blanket “shoot-on-sight” directive, saying his comments referred to the provisions of Force Order 237 and established rules of engagement. (incb.police.gov.ng)

In the Port Harcourt incident, however, the central questions remain whether the use of lethal force was justified, what prompted the pursuit and what action will be taken against the officer involved.

Blessing Agaba, an Assistant Superintendent of Police and spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, confirmed that the command was aware of the incident when contacted.

“Yes, I heard of the incident. I’m still getting details from the DPO to get the details. I will release an official statement soon,” Agaba said.

As of Friday, August 28, the command had yet to publicly provide a detailed account of the circumstances surrounding the shooting, including the identity of the officer involved, the condition of the three injured victims and whether disciplinary or criminal proceedings had commenced.

For residents who witnessed the dramatic events at the junction, the episode has left behind more than the wreckage of a vehicle.

It has renewed difficult questions about the balance between policing, public safety and the responsibility that comes with carrying a firearm in a crowded civilian environment.

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The investigation and any subsequent official findings will be crucial in establishing what happened before the shots were fired, whether the officer acted within the law and what accountability, if any, will follow the fatal encounter.