A Police Inspector, Effiong Bassey, ran amok yesterday in Calabar, the capital of Cross River State, firing indiscriminately and resulting in the death of one civilian, identified as Mrs. Ijoema Obot, while injuring two others.
According to Vanguard, the incident occurred around 6 a.m. when the officer, returning from a night shift at a Microfinance Bank in Calabar South, began to exhibit erratic behaviour upon arriving at the Atakpa Divisional Police Station.
The newspaper said that upon his return, Inspector Bassey refused to surrender the AK-47 he had used during his duty and instead cocked the weapon, threatening his colleagues.
A security source, who wished to remain anonymous, revealed to Vanguard that, “Inspector Bassey displayed hostile and erratic behaviour after he returned from the Microfinance Bank.
“He barricaded the station gate, preventing anyone from entering or exiting. Attempts to disarm him through peaceful negotiation were unsuccessful.”
Subsequent investigations found that tactical teams were deployed to the scene, but upon seeing them, Bassey became agitated and began firing indiscriminately.
In the chaos, he shot three individuals, including Mrs. Ijoema Obot, 41, the wife of a retired police officer, as well as two others.
Mrs. Obot was pronounced dead at a police clinic, while the other two victims are currently receiving medical treatment, according to sources.
When contacted for comment, Police Public Relations Officer Irene Ugbo confirmed the incident, stating, “The situation is under control; the suspect has been arrested, and the victims are receiving treatment as we speak.”
