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Human rights organisation Amnesty International has called for an independent investigation into the death of 22-year-old Anthony Obodo, who was allegedly shot by police officers in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, following conflicting accounts of the circumstances surrounding his death.
In a statement posted on X on Tuesday, the rights organisation said Nigerian authorities must “effectively and impartially investigate” the alleged extrajudicial execution of Obodo.
“The police cannot be trusted to investigate themselves,” Amnesty said, insisting that any probe must be independent and lead to justice.
Obodo was allegedly shot at the Agip-Ada George Junction in Port Harcourt on August 27, according to reports and a statement from the Rivers State Police Command.
The incident triggered protests by youths and the victim’s family, who have demanded justice.
The Rivers police said Corporal Alfred Louis and other officers who were with him had been arrested and transferred to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department for investigation.
The command’s spokesperson, ASP Blessing Agabe, said preliminary information indicated that an altercation and scuffle between Obodo and the officer preceded the shooting.
She added that the officers would face “appropriate disciplinary actions in accordance with the law, subject to the outcome of the investigation.”
The command also condemned the shooting, saying the conduct was inconsistent with professional policing standards.
Amnesty’s account, however, relies on a different version of events provided by Obodo’s family.
The organisation said the family told it that Obodo was driving a Lexus when police officers allegedly chased him and shot him at close range.
His sister alleged that Obodo was still breathing after being shot and that officers “pulled him out of the vehicle, removed his gold chain and rings, abandoned him on the road in the rain and drove away in his car.”
According to Amnesty, a passerby later found Obodo bleeding by the roadside and took him to a hospital, where he died shortly afterwards.
The killing has also generated allegations that Obodo was profiled because of his appearance and possessions.
Amnesty said the incident was “a sad reminder of consistent targeting of young men, simply for driving a flashy car, using smart phones or having a laptop and other gadgets.”
The organisation said it had previously documented cases in which police officers attributed criminal activity to young men based on possessions such as gold chains.
The case has drawn wider concern from civil society groups.
Reports identified Obodo as a University of Port Harcourt graduate who was awaiting his National Youth Service Corps call-up.
Protests over the killing have continued, with family members and friends demanding that the police officer responsible be publicly identified and prosecuted.
Amnesty linked the incident to what it described as a broader failure of accountability within Nigeria’s policing system.
“Lack of accountability is breeding and perpetuating impunity,” the organisation said, warning that this creates “an environment where police officers believe they have carte blanche to carry out atrocities,” Amnesty added.
“It is unacceptable that despite many pledges of reform and ending torture and extrajudicial killings, police in Nigeria continue to operate with complete impunity.”
Anthony Obodo: Police Can’t Be Trusted to Investigate themselves
The Nigerian authorities must effectively and impartially investigate the extrajudicial execution of Anthony Obodo — who was shot dead by police officers on Friday 29 August 2026, along Agip by Ada-George Road in… pic.twitter.com/k2wX5QlTLT
— Amnesty International Nigeria (@AmnestyNigeria) September 1, 2026
