Cross River Acting Governor begs for Calm after Policeman Kills four, Injures Others in Calabar 

Cross River State’s Acting Governor, Dr. Peter Odey, has urged residents to remain calm following a tragic shooting incident in Calabar involving a police officer suspected to be under the influence of a substance.

Allnews Nigeria reported the incident that occurred early Sunday morning at the Atakpa Police Station, near the popular Watt Market. An armed officer reportedly went on a shooting spree, killing four passersby and injuring several others. Initial eyewitness reports suggested that three people had died.

Odey, who visited the injured victims in the hospital and condoled with the deceased’s family, expressed deep concern over the situation.

“We call for calm. We understand the gravity of this unfortunate incident and are actively investigating it,” he said. “As a government, we entrust law enforcement officers with our safety, yet this tragic event has occurred. It is alarming that a police officer allegedly suffering from mental instability and substance influence had access to live ammunition.”

The Cross River State Police Command, in a statement signed by its Public Relations Officer, Irene Ugbo, confirmed the incident and identified the officer as Inspector Effiong Bassey.

According to the statement, Bassey, who was attached to the Atakpa Divisional Headquarters, had just returned from night duty at Ekondo Microfinance Bank when he began exhibiting abnormal behavior. He refused to surrender his AK-47 rifle, blocked the station’s gate, and prevented movement in and out of the premises.

Efforts to de-escalate the situation failed, leading to the officer firing indiscriminately, hitting three individuals. One of the victims, 41-year-old Ijeoma Wilson Obot, succumbed to her injuries, while the other two, Charles Mkpang and an unidentified individual, are receiving treatment and are in stable condition.

Authorities have assured the public that a full investigation is underway to determine how an officer with suspected mental health issues was allowed access to a firearm.