By Attah Ede
A disagreement over the sharing formula of a N500 gift has claimed the life of a 42-year-old man, identified as Ayei Ekpe Ibor, in Cross River State.
It was gathered that Ebino Mbang Ikpi stabbed his friend, Ibor, after a heated argument on Sunday evening over the sharing of a N500 gift extended to them in Kekoti, Ajere, Yakurr Local Government Area of Cross River State.
The Cross River State Police Command confirmed the incident and said efforts were immediately launched to arrest the suspect and recover the deceased’s remains for appropriate medical examination.
The command’s Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Eitokpah Sunday Akata, told journalists in Calabar on Monday that police operatives later arrested Ikpi at his hideout in the Ajere-Ekori area.
He said the suspect has been taken to the Yakurr Division for detention and further investigation.
However, shortly after the arrest, some sympathisers and other persons reportedly mobilised and attacked the Ekori Police Division, believing that the suspect was being detained there.
“Shortly after the arrest, some sympathisers and other persons mobilised and attacked the Ekori Police Division, demanding the release of the suspect.
“On discovering that he was not at the station, the group allegedly resorted to throwing stones at the station, resulting in damage to property,” Akata said.
The police spokesman added that the mob also attacked the residence of the Ajere Youth Leader, Omini Jacob.
“Police operatives responded promptly to disperse the crowd and restored normalcy. The situation has since been brought under control,” he said.
The Commissioner of Police, Cross River State Command, CP Ajo Geoffrey Ordue, directed that the suspect be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation.
