By Frank Ulom
CALABAR (CONVERSEER) – The only survivor of the police shooting in Calabar, Mr Charles Nkpang, has been abandoned and struggling with pain for the last three months.
Nkpang and three others were shot by a mentally unstable police officer identified as Inspector Effiong Bassey, at the Atakpa Divisional Police Station by Watt Market on 23rd March 2025. Three people died, leaving only Mkpang who was hospitalised and still undergoing treatment.
Speaking to reporters at the weekend, Nkpang, whose bullet wounds left him with partial paralysis and a hole in his mouth that still affects his ability to eat and speak, said, “If I drink water or eat, it comes out through my nose. I cannot lift my left hand or leg. I am living with pain every day.”
After initial surgery, Nkpang was moved to a stroke centre where he paid ₦18,000 daily for nearly three weeks. Though discharged, he continues to suffer from complications. He said doctors recommended a second surgery, but he lacks the funds.
Since the incident, Nkpang says support from the police and government has been limited. “My wife said that the Sunday of the incident, when I was taken to the hospital, the Police AIG (Assistant Inspector General), gave her N50,000, and the next day, he sent N100,000 before a woman who said she was a police officer from the command brought ₦50,000. Aside from that, we have been on our own,” he narrated.
The survivor, a window fabricator by trade, has shut down his business due to his condition. His wife, a primary school teacher, now shoulders the family’s burden alongside donations from old schoolmates, who fund a physiotherapist for him.
Nkpang said he received ₦400,000 from the wife of the Governor and ₦500,000 from a private individual called VeryDarkMan. He spends most of it on drugs, including one that costs ₦42,000 for just a few days’ supply.
“I have sent messages to Hon. Stanley Nsemo, the House of Assembly Member Representing Calabar Municipality, who promised to take the matter to court, but nothing has happened,” he said.
Reacting to the claims in a WhatsApp interview, the Commissioner of Police, Cross River State Command, CP Olusegun Omosanyin, said all efforts to make the state government shoulder the burden of the treatment of the survivor have yet to yield results.
The CP confirmed that the officer involved has been dismissed from the force and is currently in custody. He noted further that the shooting occurred before he assumed office, during the tenure of former AIG Bala Mohammed.
“The incident happened before I took over as CP, and it was during the time of outgone AIG Zone 6, AIG Bala Mustapha Mohammed.
“We forwarded the requests of both the deceased and the injured to the state govt (sic) but it seems the govt (sic) believes, it’s police negligent act and responsibility. The shooter has been dismissed from service and charged to court. He is on remand at calabar correctional centre (sic).
“I gave N100,000 as my support, and the retired AIG zone 6 equally gave N150,000 to support the treatment of the injured person. Effort to commit govt (sic) of Cross River state to shoulder the burden of treatment is yet to yield result. And the family of the suspect/ officer who fired is financially incapacitated,” CP Omosanyin said.
He also confirmed disciplinary action was taken against the officer’s wife, who allegedly concealed her husband’s mental health condition. The CP said efforts to get the Cross River State Government to cover the victim’s medical bills have so far not been successful.
“Police set disciplinary trial in motion immediately after the incident and have reduced the wife of the suspect who fired in rank, for concealing the mental state condition and medication of the husband from police authorities,” he said.
Despite promises, the victim says no government body has taken up responsibility for his treatment or rehabilitation. “I have two children. I cannot work. I need help from the government,” Nkpang pleaded.
