The Cross River State Police Command has been thrown into mourning following a tragic incident at the Atakpa Divisional Police Headquarters where an officer suspected to be mentally deranged reportedly opened fire on bystanders, resulting to one fatality and two injuries.
Authorities say the officer, identified as Inspector Effiong Bassey, had just returned from night duty when he began exhibiting abnormal behaviour.
A statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, Irene Ugbo, disclosed that Inspector Bassey, who had returned from night duty, refused to surrender his service rifle and instead barricaded the station’s gate.
Despite attempts to de-escalate the situation, he fired shots, fatally wounding 41-year-old Ijeoma Obot and injuring two others, who are now receiving medical care and in stable condition.
Tactical and patrol units were immediately deployed to the scene.
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However, the officer, suspected to be mentally unstable, continued firing before he was eventually subdued and disarmed.
He is now in police custody as investigations continue.
In response, the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 6 Headquarters, Calabar, alongside the State Command Management Team, visited the hospital where the injured victims were being treated.
The AIG also made a donation to support their medical care.
To ease tensions, security measures have been reinforced, including the barricade of the highway leading to Watt Market.
(Editor: Ebuwa Omo-Osagie)
