Tension As Trigger-Happy Policeman Kills Three Persons At Calabar Market
BY UBON EKANEM, CALABAR – A Trigger-happy Policeman suspected to be mentally unstable reportedly opened fire at the Calabar Central market killing three people on the spot.
Available reports indicated that the incident, which occured in the wee hours of Sunday, arose from a disagreement among the Policemen at Atakpa Police division, located within the vicinity of the popular Watt Market.
The unfortunate incident, which also left several persons injured, has seen authorities of the Cross River State Police Command making frantic efforts to pacify the angry Calabar community.
Amid the pandemonium, the crime scene and the Police station was cordoned off, with a statement signed by the Command’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Superintendent Irene Ugbo, saying that; “Efforts to engage with key stakeholders are ongoing to ensure that the tension in the community is de-escalated.”
The statement said the officer, identified as Inspector Effiong Bassey, serving at the Atakpa Police divisional headquarters, upon returning from his duty post, armed with AK-47 rifle, suddenly ran amok and shot dead three persons. In the process, he also shot and injured three more passersby and bystanders.
The statement further said; “Bassey returned from his night duty at Ekondo Microfinance Bank and began to exhibit abnormal behavior.
“Inspector Bassey refused to hand over the AK-47 rifle he was assigned and instead proceeded to block the station’s gate, preventing anyone from entering or leaving the premises. Despite attempts at peaceful dialogue to resolve the situation, the officer’s actions escalated.
“Subsequently, tactical units/patrol teams were deployed to the scene, where Inspector Bassey, suspected to be mentally deranged, opened fire on bystanders who had been instructed to leave the area.
“Tragically, three individuals were struck by the officer’s stray bullets, including Ijeoma Wilson Obot, a 41-year-old female, who later succumbed to her injuries.
“The other two victims, Charles Mkpang and another individual, are currently receiving medical treatment and are in stable condition,” the statement said.
The statement said Bassey was eventually subdued, disarmed, arrested and detained, adding that the incident is being investigated.
Meanwhile, the Police Spokeswoman disclosed that the Assistant Inspector General (AIG) of Police, Zone 6 Headquarters, Calabar, Mohammed Bala, and the Cross River State Command Management Team visited the hospital where the victims were receiving care.
While condoling the victims’ families and wishing the injured speedy recovery, the Police Command urged the public to remain calm as the investigation into the tragic incident continues.
An eye witnessed account confided in Forefront that the unusual bravado spirit of the House of Assembly member representing Calabar South 1 State Constituency, Hon Effiong Ekarika also assisted in bringing the situation under control as efforts to disarm the belligerent policeman yielded positive results.
