By Jonathan Ugbal
The Police command in Cross River has arrested two suspects in connection to the death of a hawker simply identified as Michael who was killed in a confrontation with officials of the State’s Department of Public Transportation DOPT, in Calabar on Friday.
The command’s public relations officer, Mrs. Irene Ugbo, a Deputy Superintendent of Police confirmed the arrest to CrossRiverWatch.
“We have arrested two suspects,” she said in a telephone interview.
She continued; “Investigations are still ongoing but the prime suspect who is alleged to have said ‘if you don’t get of the road, I go kill you now’ is on the run.”
She assured that the Police was not relenting in its effort to ensure the law takes its course.
Mr. Michael, a father of three is said to have been ran over by the DOPT officials after they took his wares and he attempted preventing them by standing in front of their van.
His death has led to a backlash for the Cross River State Government which had enjoyed a good media run over reported success of its rice policy due to a three billion Naira order for rice seedlings from its seed multiplication plant in Calabar.
Several individuals and the African Action Congress have demanded for an investigative panel to be set up amidst calls for a review of the Hawkers Right Regulatory law and that of the DOPT.