The police in Cross River State have arrested a man accused of stabbing a 42-year-old man to death following a disagreement over a N500 gift.
The suspect, Ebino Ikpi, was arrested at about 8:40 a.m. on Sunday at his hideout in the Ajere-Ekori area of Yakurr Local Government Area of the state, hours after the alleged killing of Ayei Ibor.
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The incident occurred at about 1 a.m. in Kekoti, Ajere, following an alleged misunderstanding between the two men over N500 that was reportedly given to both of them as a gift.
In a statement on Sunday, the police spokesperson in the state, Sunday Eitokpah, said the disagreement allegedly escalated into a fight, during which Mr Ibor was stabbed.
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He was subsequently confirmed dead.
Suspect fled after the alleged killing
According to the police, Mr Ikpi fled the scene after the incident, prompting operatives to launch a search for him.
The suspect was eventually arrested at his hideout and taken to the Yakurr Police Division for detention and further investigation.
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The Commissioner of Police in Cross River, Ajo Ordue, has directed that Mr Ikpi be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation, Mr Eitokpah said.
Mob attacks police station
The suspect’s arrest subsequently triggered another incident when sympathisers and other persons allegedly mobilised and attacked the Ekori Police Division, demanding the release of the suspect.
Police said the group discovered that Mr Ikpi was not at the station but allegedly threw stones at the police facility.
The attack reportedly “damaged seven windows, the DPO/DCO office door, six plastic chairs, a wall mirror and part of the station’s roofing,” the police said.
“The passenger-side glass of the DPO’s official vehicle was also allegedly damaged.”
According to Mr Eitokpah, the residence of the Ajere Youth Leader, Omini Jacob, was equally attacked, reportedly because the attackers believed he had assisted the police in the suspect’s arrest.
He said operatives responded by dispersing the crowd and restoring normalcy.
Police launch manhunt for attackers
Mr Eitokpah said the commissioner of police has directed intensified efforts to identify and arrest those involved in the attack on the police station and destruction of public and private property.
“The Command urges members of the public to remain calm and law-abiding,” Mr Eitokpah said.
“While the police will continue to protect the rights of all persons, attacks on police formations, destruction of property and attempts to obstruct criminal investigations will be dealt with in accordance with the law.”
The latest incident comes amid a series of reported violent deaths and alleged murder cases in Cross River in recent months.
In August, the police in the state began investigating the deaths of two unidentified men allegedly attacked by a mob over suspected robbery in Calabar South. The police warned residents against attacking suspected offenders, saying, “No individual has the right to take the law into their own hands.”
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The police had also investigated the death of a 29-year-old man, Emmanuel Ita, whose body was found with a chest injury along the Target–Udy King axis of Calabar. Around the same period, police arrested a 29-year-old man, Saviour Adim, over the alleged killing of his six-year-old stepdaughter, Goodness Okon, whom he allegedly accused of witchcraft.
The recurring incidents have kept concerns over violent crime, mob action and the use of extrajudicial measures in focus in the state.
The police said the investigation into the latest killing and the attack on the Ekori Division is ongoing.
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