A police inspector in Calabar, Cross River State, has shot and killed one person while injuring two others after reportedly opening fire near the Atakpa Police Station along Watt Market Road. The incident, which took place on Sunday, 23rd March 2025, has left residents in mourning.
According to eyewitnesses, the officer had just returned from duty when he was asked to surrender his rifle, a standard procedure for officers concluding their shifts. However, instead of complying, he allegedly began acting erratically, refusing to hand over his weapon. Attempts by fellow officers to disarm him reportedly escalated the situation, leading to indiscriminate gunfire.
One civilian was killed instantly, while two others sustained gunshot wounds and were rushed to the hospital for treatment.
Cross River State Police Public Relations Officer, Irene Ugbo, confirmed the incident, stating that the officer had been taken into custody. She assured the public that security operatives had swiftly moved in to prevent further unrest.
“That’s where we are right now, we are on the ground, trying to ensure the area remains calm,” she said.
Providing further details, Ugbo explained:
“The report we received is that the said inspector had returned from duty.
Normally, policemen work through the night and are required to surrender their rifles at the station.
However, he suddenly began behaving irrationally and speaking incoherently.
He was supposed to surrender his rifle, log out, and leave the station, but instead, he started acting strangely, and officers around tried to calm him down.
Then, he just took the rifle and began shooting sporadically. That was how the bullets hit three persons—one has been confirmed dead, while two others are receiving treatment.”
Following the incident, tensions rose in the area as aggrieved youths attempted to set the police station ablaze. However, security operatives were able to restore order before the situation escalated further.
The authorities have assured residents that a thorough investigation is underway to determine the circumstances that led to the officer’s actions.