Police Inspector goes gaga, shoots one dead, disarmed and held in custody
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
A police Inspector went berserk on Sunday, shot one civilian dead, injured two others, and held fellow cops hostage in Calabar. He was later disarmed and is now held in custody.
Inspector Effiong Bassey allegedly shot and killed one Ijoema Obot, the wife of a retired police officer, at about 6am when he returned from a night beat at a microfinance bank to Atakpa Divisional Police station and started behaving strangely.
He refused to hand over the AK 47 he used for the night duty, cocked the rifle, and threatened to shoot his colleagues.
“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,” a security source told Vanguard.
“He blocked the gate of the station, refused anyone exit or entry into the facility, all efforts to disarm him through peaceful dialogue proved abortive.”
Tactical teams were 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 police clinic while two others are been treated.”
Cross River Police Command 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,” she said
Police donate to treatment of those injured, express condolences to bereaved families, promise justice
The PUNCH quoted Ugbo as adding that “Inspector Bassey refused to hand over the AK-47 rifle he was assigned and instead proceeded to block the station’s gate, preventing anyone from entering or leaving the premises.
“Despite attempts at peaceful dialogue to resolve the situation, the officer’s actions escalated.
“Subsequently, Tactical Units/Patrol teams were deployed to the scene, where Inspector Bassey, suspected to be mentally deranged, opened fire on bystanders who had been instructed to leave the area.
“Tragically, three individuals were struck by the officer’s stray bullets, including Ijeoma Wilson Obot, a 41-year-old female, who later succumbed to her injuries. The other two victims, Charles Mkpang and another individual, are currently receiving medical treatment and are in stable condition.
“The officer was eventually subdued, disarmed, and is now in police custody. He is undergoing further investigation into the incident.
“The Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 6 Headquarters, Calabar, and the Cross River State Command Management Team visited the hospital where the victims were receiving care.
“The AIG also donated to support the immediate treatment of the injured. Efforts to engage with key stakeholders are ongoing to ensure that the tension in the community is de-escalated.
“The Police Command urges the families of the victims and the public to remain calm as the investigation into this unfortunate incident continues.
“The Cross River State Police Command is committed to ensuring that justice, fairness, and equity prevail, and the outcome of the investigation will be made public in due course.
“We extend our deepest condolences to the family of the deceased and wish the injured a speedy recovery.”
In another incident last Saturday, Police Inspector Ajele Oloyede died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound at a ceramics company at Igbesa in Ogun where he was stationed as part of the security detail.
State Police Command spokesperson Omolola Odutola disclosed that an officer from Force Headquarters Annex, Lagos, Tolorunloju Stephen, discovered the incident upon returning from Ikeja.
Read also:
