The police in Rivers have disarmed and arrested an officer who shot a tricycle driver at Rukpokwu.

The officer was not immediately identified, but the fatal shooting has sparked widespread outrage and protests have commenced against police brutality across the community, Peoples Gazette learnt.  

A tricycle driver, widely known in the community as ‘Schoolboy’, was reportedly shot and killed by the officer in the early hours of Thursday.

The killing came days after the state government started enforcement of the ban of tricycle plying on major roads in the state. Transport commissioner Osima Ginah with his team on Tuesday impounded defaulters tricycles, the Gazette understands.

It is unclear if the deceased and the police officer had an argument before the fatal shooting, but local reports said the tricycle driver refused to pay N100 to the police officer.

Rivers police spokesman Nnamdi Omoni told the Gazette that the command has identified the officer involved in the crime and has taken him into custody.

Mr. Omoni said the command is taking necessary steps to address the incident and action is in place to bring justice in all circumstances