A police officer suspected to be mentally unstable went on a rampage on Sunday, in Calabar, Cross Rivers capital, shooting three people, one of whom died instantly.
Irene Ugbo, spokesperson of the state police command, confirmed the incident, saying the officer had just returned from night duty when the shooting occurred.
Ugbo said the officer failed to submit his rifle as required after his shift, but took it outside and opened fire on residents.
“He came back from a night duty in the morning and while he was supposed to submit his rifle, he refused to, went outside and started a shooting spree,” she told TheCable.
“Before he was held down, three people were hit with stray bullets and one was killed immediately while the two others were rushed to the hospital.”
Ugbo said the two injured victims were receiving treatment, while the officer had been subdued.
She added that though his mental state is yet to be officially confirmed, the police authority has directed that the officer should be dismissed.
She said the officer’s dismissal process will be completed by Monday, after which he will face trial.
“Though it hasn’t been ascertained, we suspected he is mentally ill and the AIG has directed that he should be dismissed immediately,” she said.
“By tomorrow, he is going to be dismissed and taken to court to face the full wrath of the law.”
An eyewitness reported that the shooting took place at Watt Market in Calabar, the capital of the state, claiming that some traders were among the dead and injured. (The Cable)
