A tragic incident unfolded on Sunday, March 23, at Atakpa near the popular Calabar Watt Market in Calabar South Local Government Area, as an armed policeman allegedly shot and killed four innocent passersby.
Eyewitnesses report that the officer, whose identity has yet to be disclosed, went berserk and fired multiple gunshots into the air. Stray bullets struck the unsuspecting victims, killing them instantly.
“The victims were innocent and had no quarrel with the officer. It seemed like he ran amok and started shooting indiscriminately,” an eyewitness stated.
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Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Cross River State Command, SP Irene Ugbo, acknowledged that the officer acted irrationally and may have suffered a mental breakdown.
“The officer misbehaved, and we suspect he has become mentally unstable. This is our preliminary suspicion at the moment,” SP Ugbo stated.
She further assured the public that the police command is actively investigating the circumstances surrounding the tragic event to unravel the mystery behind the shooting.
Residents of the area have expressed shock and fear over the incident, calling on authorities to ensure justice for the victims and implement measures to prevent such occurrences in the future.