Cross River’s shooting survivor cries out after police officer’s attack

Three months after a tragic capturing incident allegedly implemented by a mentally unstable police officer in Calabar,Contaminated River Train, one of many victims, Charles Mkpang, says he has been deserted by the authorities and is struggling to outlive.

On March 23, 2025, a police officer identified as Inspector Effiong Bassey opened fireplace on the Atakpa Divisional Police Dwelling and its environment. Four people were shot; three died, and Mkpang, 46, was as soon as the no doubt survivor.

Primarily based fully on Mkpang, the bullet wounds left him with partial paralysis and a gap in his mouth that also affects his capacity to bask in and discuss. “If I drink water or bask in, it comes out by my nose. I am unable to put off my left hand or leg. I'm living with anguish daily,” he instructed reporters.

After initial surgery, Mkpang was as soon as moved to a stroke centre the place he paid ₦18,000 daily for just about three weeks. Even supposing discharged, he continues to suffer from concerns. He acknowledged scientific doctors rapid a second surgery, but he lacks the funds.

For the reason that incident, Mkpang says make stronger from the police and government has been diminutive. “My well-known other acknowledged that on the Sunday of the incident after I was as soon as being taken to the properly being heart, the Police AIG gave her N50,000 and day after nowadays he despatched N100,000 forward of a girl who acknowledged she was as soon as a police officer from the expose introduced ₦50,000. Aside from that, we now had been on our have,” he narrated.

The survivor, a window fabricator by trade, has shut down his enterprise due to his situation. His well-known other, a well-known college teacher, now shoulders the family’s burden alongside donations from outdated schoolmates, who fund a physiotherapist for him.

Mkpang acknowledged he purchased ₦400,000 from the governor’s well-known other and ₦500,000 from a non-public particular person known as VeryDarkMan. He spends most of it on medication, including one which charges ₦42,000 for simply a few days’ provide. “I actually hang despatched messages to Hon. Stanley, the Condominium of Assembly Member representing Calabar Municipality, who promised to put off the topic to court docket, but nothing has came about,” he acknowledged.

Reacting to the claims in a WhatsApp interview, the Commissioner of Police, Contaminated River Train Advise, Olusegun Omosanyin, acknowledged all efforts to compose the tell government shoulder the burden of medication for the survivor hang but to yield outcomes.

“The incident came about forward of I took over as CP, and it was as soon as throughout the time of outgoing AIG Zone 6, AIG Bala Mustapha Mohammed.

“We forwarded the requests of every the deceased and the injured to the tell government, but it looks the government believes it is miles a police negligent act and accountability. The shooter has been disregarded from service and charged to court docket. He's on remand at Calabar Correctional Centre.”

“I gave N100,000 as my make stronger and the retired AIG Zone 6 equally gave N150,000 to make stronger the medication of the injured particular person. Efforts to commit the government of Contaminated River Train to shoulder the burden of medication are but to yield outcomes. And the family of the suspect/officer who fired is financially incapacitated.”

He confirmed the officer fervent has been disregarded from the force and is currently in custody. He properly-known the capturing occurred forward of he assumed place of work, throughout the tenure of outdated AIG Bala Mohammed.

He also confirmed disciplinary action was as soon as taken towards the officer’s well-known other, who allegedly hid her husband’s psychological properly being situation. The CP acknowledged efforts to fetch the Contaminated River Train Authorities to duvet the sufferer’s scientific funds hang up to now no longer been a hit.

“Police dwelling disciplinary trial in motion without prolong after the incident and hang diminished the well-known other of the suspect who fired in detestable for concealing the psychological tell situation and medicine of the husband from police authorities.”

In spite of promises, the sufferer says no government physique has taken up accountability for his medication or rehabilitation. “I actually hang two children. I am unable to work. I'd like help from the government,” Mkpang pleaded.