The Cross River State Police Command has taken disciplinary action against Inspector Effiong Bassey, who was involved in a shooting incident that led to one death and left two others injured in Calabar, the state’s capital.
The police spokesperson for the state, Irene Ugbo, confirmed on Monday that Bassey has been dismissed from the force. She added that he has been formally charged and is now in custody at the Afokang Correctional Centre.
She said, “The Police Officer has been duly dismissed, charged to court and remanded at Afokang Correctional Centre. We visited the deceased family on the same day and also went to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital to see the injured victims, who underwent a successful surgery.
“As we speak, the victim is recuperating, and we are making efforts to ensure that all affected parties are well taken care of. At no time did we abandon any of the victims, including the family of the deceased.
“As a matter of fact, we gave financial support from day one when the incident happened, and nobody including the deceased family, victims and their families who were not carried along. I can assure that the surgery on the victim who was shot in the neck was successful and he is recovering fast, and we shall give further update on his health.”
She also addressed what she described as misleading reports claiming the police had turned their backs on the victims. Ugbo urged media outlets to verify information before publishing.