Calabar, March 23, 2025 – A tragic shooting incident unfolded early Sunday morning at the Divisional Police Headquarters, Atakpa, Calabar, leaving one person dead and two others injured.
The Cross River State Police Command confirmed the incident in an official statement, revealing that a police officer, Inspector Effiong Bassey, who had just returned from night duty, suddenly began behaving erratically.
According to a statement from the Cross River State Police Command, the unfortunate incident happened around 5:55 AM when Inspector Bassey had just completed his night shift at Ekondo Microfinance Bank when he refused to return his AK-47 rifle and proceeded to block the entrance of the police station. Witnesses reported that he prevented anyone from going in or out, ignoring repeated attempts by fellow officers to calm him down.
When initial attempts to de-escalate the situation failed, the police deployed tactical units and patrol teams to restore order. However, the situation took a deadly turn when Inspector Bassey, suspected to be mentally unstable, opened fire on bystanders.
During the gunfire, three civilians were hit. Among them was 41-year-old Ijeoma Wilson Obot, who suffered severe gunshot wounds and later died from her injuries. The other two victims, identified as Charles Mkpang and another individual, were rushed to the hospital and are currently in stable condition.
Following the shooting, officers were able to subdue and disarm Inspector Bassey. He has since been taken into police custody, where further investigations are underway to determine the cause of his actions.
In response to the incident, the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) for Zone 6 Headquarters, Calabar, along with top-ranking officers from the Cross River State Command, visited the victims at the hospital. The AIG also made a donation towards their medical expenses.
The police have urged the public, especially the victims' families, to remain calm while the investigation progresses. They assured that justice would be served and pledged to maintain transparency in the process.
"We deeply regret this unfortunate incident. The Command remains committed to fairness and justice. The findings of our investigation will be made public," said SP Ugbo Irene, the Police Public Relations Officer.
Meanwhile, security has been reinforced in the area to prevent further unrest, and key community stakeholders are being engaged to ensure peace.
The Cross River State Police Command extended its deepest condolences to the family of the deceased and wished the injured a speedy recovery.
As the investigation continues, the authorities reaffirm their commitment to protecting lives and ensuring accountability within the police force.
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