A motorist identified as Anthony has been shot dead by a police officer at a checkpoint around the Agip-Ada George Junction in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The incident reportedly occurred at about 5pm on Thursday when the deceased, who was driving a private vehicle, allegedly failed to stop after being flagged down by police officers.
According to eyewitnesses, the officers pursued the vehicle before one of them fired three shots at it.
One of the bullets reportedly struck Anthony in the back and exited through his chest, causing him to lose control of the vehicle and crash into three people.
The three victims were said to have sustained serious injuries.
An eyewitness, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the incident created panic in the area as residents and passers-by rushed to rescue the victims.
He said, “It was around 5pm. 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 witness added that the officer fired three times, with one of the bullets hitting the driver.
He said, “The bullet hit the driver from behind and pierced his chest. The vehicle lost control and hit people, about three of them.”
The injured motorist was reportedly taken to a hospital near the junction, where he later died.
The eyewitness further alleged that the officer fired into the air while attempting to flee from the scene.
“After shooting the driver, the policeman started shooting sporadically in the air in an attempt to escape. Some youths confronted him, collected the gun from him and started beating him,” he said.
The situation reportedly escalated until other police officers arrived and took the officer away from the youths.
A video circulating online also showed residents and business owners gathered at the scene following the incident.
When contacted, the spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, Blessing Agaba, confirmed that the command was aware of the incident.
Agaba, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, said the command was still gathering information from the Divisional Police Officer before issuing an official statement.
“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,” she said.
