Calabar, March 23, 2025 | The bustling streets of Calabar turned into a scene of terror early this morning when a police inspector, armed with an AK-47, unleashed a barrage of bullets at the Atakpa Divisional Police Headquarters, leaving three dead and several others injured. The rampage, which unfolded before 6:00 a.m. adjacent to the popular Watt Market, plunged the Cross River State capital into panic as residents and traders fled for their lives. Hours later, as the sun set on a shaken city, authorities were still scrambling to piece together what drove the officer to turn his weapon on the very community he was meant to protect.
The shooter, identified as Inspector Effiong Bassey, had just returned from a night shift when, according to police accounts, he began acting erratically. “He refused to hand over his rifle, blocked the station’s gate, and wouldn’t let anyone in or out,” said Superintendent Irene Ugbo, the Cross River State Police Command’s spokesperson, in a statement. Tactical teams were called in to defuse the situation, but Bassey described by officials as possibly “mentally deranged” opened fire, striking bystanders who’d been told to clear the area.
Among the victims was Ijeoma Wilson Obot, a 41-year-old woman who succumbed to her injuries after being hit by stray bullets. Two others, Charles Mkpang and an unidentified individual, were rushed to a nearby hospital, where they’re now stable but fighting to recover. “I heard the shots and just ran,” said Blessing Okon, a market trader who witnessed the chaos. “People were screaming, falling it was like a nightmare.” The gunfire sent shockwaves through the crowded Watt Market area, a hub where early risers were just starting their day.
By late afternoon, Bassey had been subdued, disarmed, and detained, but the damage was done. The police cordoned off the scene, fearing reprisals from grieving families and angry locals. “We’re trying to calm things down,” Ugbo said, noting that efforts were underway to engage community leaders and ease the mounting tension. The Assistant Inspector General of Police for Zone 6, Mohammed Bala, joined the state command’s management team to visit the injured in the hospital, offering condolences and support a small gesture amid a city on edge.
For Calabar residents, the incident cuts deep. “These are the people supposed to keep us safe,” said Emmanuel Ita, a shop owner near Atakpa. “Now we’re dodging bullets from them?” Posts on X echoed that frustration, with users like @KizyUzoma lamenting the loss of four lives though police confirmed three deaths and @WeirdPurpleway calling officers “animals” meant to protect. The sentiment online painted a raw picture of disbelief and outrage, though some reports varied, with @CorelsI urging people to steer clear of the area as the situation unfolded.
What pushed Bassey over the edge remains a mystery. The police statement hinted at mental instability, but no clear motive has emerged. Was it stress from the job, a personal breakdown, or something else? An investigation is underway, with the command promising transparency. “We’re committed to justice,” Ugbo stressed, vowing that the findings would be made public. For now, though, questions linger heavier than answers.
This isn’t the first time Rivers State has faced violence tied to its security forces just weeks ago, explosions rocked oil facilities amid a declared state of emergency. But today’s tragedy feels personal, striking at the heart of a community already weary of instability. As night falls, the streets around Watt Market are quieter than usual, the hum of trade replaced by hushed conversations and wary glances. For the families of Ijeoma, Charles, and the others caught in the crossfire, it’s a silence that may never lift.