From Our Correspondent
Palpable fear has gripped residents of Calabar, the Cross River State capital, as a policeman went amok and killed three persons, while injuring others.
Meanwhile, authorities of the state police command who described the police personnel as mentally deranged, are making frantic moves to pacify the community and douse the raging tension.
According to police authorities, the incident happened before 6am yesterday at Atakpa divisional police headquarters in Calabar, adjacent the popular Watt market.
There was pandemonium as people scampered for safety.
However, a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, Superintendent Irene Ugbo, said: “Efforts to engage key stakeholders are ongoing to ensure that the tension in the community is de-escalated.”
Explaining what happened, the statement said the officer, identified as Inspector Effiong Bassey, serving at Atakpa Police Divisional Headquarters, upon returning from his duty post, armed with an AK-47 rifle, suddenly ran amock and shot dead theee persons.
He was also said to have shot and injured three more passersby and bystanders.
“Bassey returned from his night duty at Ekondo Microfinance Bank and began to exhibit abnormal behavior.
“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 his 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 statement said.
The statement added that Bassey was eventually subdued, disarmed, arrested and detained.
The incident is being investigated, the statement noted.
The police spokesperson added that the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 6 Headquarters, Calabar, Mohammed Bala, and the Cross River State Command Management Team visited the hospital where the victims are receiving care.
Condoling the family of the deceased and wishing the injured speedy recovery, the police command called on the public to remain calm as investigation into the tragic incident continues.
