Three months after a shooting incident allegedly carried out by a mentally unstable police officer in Calabar, Cross River State, one of the victims, Charles Mkpang, has lamented being abandoned by authorities and is struggling to survive.

On March 23, 2025, Inspector Effiong Bassey reportedly opened fire at the Atakpa Divisional Police Station and its surroundings, leaving four people shot. Three died, while Mkpang, 46, survived but was left with severe injuries.

Recounting his ordeal, Mkpang revealed that the bullet wounds caused partial paralysis and left him with a hole in his mouth, affecting his ability to eat and speak. “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,” he said.

After initial surgery, Mkpang was moved to a stroke centre where he paid N18,000 daily for nearly three weeks. Though discharged, he continues to suffer complications and has been advised to undergo a second surgery, which he cannot afford.

Mkpang stated that support from the police and government has been minimal. He recalled receiving N50,000 and N100,000 from the Police AIG shortly after the incident and an additional N50,000 from a female officer. Beyond this, he said his family has been left to fend for themselves.

The survivor, a window fabricator, has been unable to continue his business due to his condition, leaving his wife, a primary school teacher, to shoulder the family’s financial burden. Donations from old schoolmates have been used to fund his physiotherapy, but he noted that the cost of medication remains overwhelming.

He mentioned receiving N400,000 from the governor’s wife and N500,000 from a private donor, but said most of the funds have been spent on medication, including one costing N42,000 for a few days’ supply.

Efforts to seek legal and additional financial support have yielded no results. “I have sent messages to Stanley, the House of Assembly Member representing Calabar Municipality, who promised to take the matter to court, but nothing has happened,” Mkpang said.

Reacting to the claims, the state Commissioner of Police, Olusegun Omosanyin, stated that efforts to make the Cross River State government take responsibility for Mkpang’s treatment have been unsuccessful.

“The incident happened before I took over as CP and during the time of outgone AIG Zone 6, Bala Mustapha Mohammed. We forwarded the requests of both the deceased and the injured to the state government, but it seems the government believes it was the police’s negligent act and responsibility.

“The culprit has been dismissed from service and charged to court. He is on remand at Calabar Correctional Centre. I gave N100,000, and the retired AIG Zone 6 also gave N150,000 to support the treatment of the injured person. However, efforts to get the Cross River State government to shoulder the burden of treatment have not yielded results. The suspect’s family is also financially incapacitated,” Omosanyin said.

The CP further disclosed that disciplinary action was taken against the officer’s wife for concealing her husband’s mental health condition. Despite promises from various quarters, Mkpang said no government body has taken responsibility for his treatment or rehabilitation. “I have two children. I cannot work. I need help from the government,” he