From Ene Asuquo, Calabar

A Chief Magistrate Court sitting in Calabar, Cross River State has ordered Inspector Effiong Bassey to be remanded in the Nigerian Correctional Centre, Afokang Calabar South.The police Inspector, Effiong Bassey last Sunday opened fire on traders, buyers and other road users around Atakpa Divisional Headquarters killing a woman identified as Ijeoma Wilson and wounded several others.

Superintendent Otu Ubangah, Officer in Charge of Legal, Cross River State Police Command approached the court seeking an exparte motion to remand the Inspector while waiting for legal advice from the state Attorney General. Superintendent Ubangah told the court that his application was supported by a six paragraph affidavit and a written address.Ruling on Case number MC/199/25 Chief Magistrate Mercy Toney Ene of Court 1, Moore Road Calabar on Monday adjourned the case till April 14, for the State Department for Public Prosecution, DPP, report.She ruled that Inspector Bassey should remain in the centre pending legal advice from the Attorney General of Cross River State.The police statement released after the incident yesterday read as this;”The Cross River State Police Command regrets to inform the public of a tragic incident that occurred today, 23rd March, 2025, at the Divisional Police Headquarters in Atakpa, Calabar, at approximately 0555hrs””A statement signed by Superintendent Irene Ugbo, Police Public Relations Officer, Cross River State Command narrated that Inspector Effiong Bassey, serving at Atakpa Divisional, returned from his night duty at Ekondo Microfinance Bank and began to exhibit abnormal behavior”.”According to the police spokesperson, 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”.”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”.”The police confirmed that 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”.