The Atakpa Police Station in Calabar remains cordoned off nearly a week after a shocking shooting spree by Inspector Effiong Bassey, who went berserk last Sunday morning, killing innocent passersby.
Fear of reprisal attacks from the victims' families and friends has led to heightened security around the station, with four police vans stationed to deter potential assaults.
Inspector Bassey, now in custody following a magistrate court order, was reportedly under the influence of substances at the time of the attack.
In a statement signed by Superintendent Irene Ugbo, the PRO of the Cross River State Police Command alleged that Bassey had a mental health challenge.
It was Hon. Effiong Ekarika, the lawmaker representing the area, who bravely disarmed Bassey, preventing further bloodshed—a courageous act praised by the state’s acting governor, Dr. Peter Odey.
Tensions escalated after the son of one of the victims, residing in Bayside, threatened to set fire to the police station in retaliation for his mother’s death.
In response, authorities shut down one lane of the usually busy Calabar Road, causing traffic congestion and diversions.
Further investigations revealed disturbing details about Bassey’s private life.
Married to fellow officer Inspector Juliana Iwara, the couple lived in a two-bedroom apartment.
Juliana, who serves at the Area Police Command in Akim, Calabar, has since abandoned her roadside provisions shop out of fear for her safety.
Her neighbors disclosed that Bassey frequently exhibited violent behavior, often assaulting his three little children and destroying his wife’s shop in fits of rage.
In light of this tragic event, the Cross River State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Journalists has called for regular mental health evaluations for security personnel, particularly police officers, to prevent similar incidents in the future.
