A police inspector identified as Effiong Bassey ran amok on Sunday, shooting indiscriminately, killing one civilian identified as Mrs Ijoema Obot and injuring two others in Calabar, Cross River State capital.
Chronicle NG gathered that the incident happened at about 6a.m. when the policeman who went to night beat at a microfinance bank in Calabar South returned to the Atakpa Divisional Police Station and allegedly started behaving strangely.
According to the findings, when the Inspector returned from his beat, he allegedly refused to surrender the AK-47 he used for night duty, instead cocking the rifle and threatening to shoot his colleagues.
According to a source who spoke on the condition of anonymity, “Inspector Bassey, who was on night duty at a microfinance bank in Calabar South, started being hostile and erratic when he returned from night duty to Atakpa Divisional Police Station.
“He blocked the gate of the station and refused anyone exit or entry into the facility; all efforts to disarm him through peaceful dialogue proved abortive,” the sources added.
It was gathered that tactical teams were later mobilised to the scene, and when he sighted them, he became apprehensive and started shooting indiscriminately.
“In the process, he shot three persons, including Mrs Ijoema Obot, 41, wife of a retired police officer, and two others.
“Mrs Obot was confirmed dead at the Force clinic while two others are being treated,” sources stated.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Irene Ugbo, confirmed the incident.
“The matter is under control; we have arrested the suspect, and the victims are receiving treatment as we speak,” Ugbo said.
