Trigger-happy policeman fired over deadly firing in Calabar

The Cross River State Police Command has dismissed Inspector Effiong Bassey after he shot and killed one person while injuring two others in Calabar, the state capital. 

The development was confirmed on Monday by the state police spokesperson, Irene Ugbo.

She revealed that the officer has not only been dismissed from service but has also been charged to court and remanded at the Afokang Correctional Centre.

In her words, “The Police Officer has been duly dismissed, charged to court and remanded at Afokang Correctional Centre. We visited the deceased family on the same day and also went to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital to see the injured victims, who underwent a successful surgery.”

“As we speak, the victim is recuperating, and we are making efforts to ensure that all affected parties are well taken care of. At no time did we abandon any of the victims, including the family of the deceased.

“As a matter of fact, we gave financial support from day one when the incident happened, and nobody including the deceased family, victims and their families who were not carried along . I can assure that the surgery on the victim who was shot in the neck was successful and he is recovering fast, and we shall give further update on his health.”

She criticised what she described as unverified reports suggesting that the police had neglected the victims, urging journalists to confirm details before publication.