By Jonathan Ugbal
Eyewitnesses at the scene of the face-off between women of Igwo community in Obudu local government area have confirmed to CrossRiverWatch that a stray bullet caught an unnamed noodles seller as the face off between men of Mopol 75 Squadron of the Nigerian Police Force and the Igwo community continues.
The women are protesting against a mass arrest effected by the Mopol squadron earlier in the day following the killing of a community head and the razing of a building belonging to the Igwo clan head, Spokesman Agogo due to disagreements emanating from the compensation allegedly paid by the state government for plots of land it claimed to construct a cargo airport.
A senior personnel of the Nigerian Immigration Service also died last year due to controversies surrounding the airport with one of the four communities, Ukambi resisting what it called a “land grab.” The community is currently in court over the land claimed for the airport.
And, the noodles seller who is said to have been witnessing the protests by the women is reportedly receiving treatment at an undisclosed medical facility.
Initial accounts by eyewitnesses say he sells noodles at the Golden bar located in Uquart street and lives at Adie Agiopu street which is less than a kilometer away.
“As at the time I left there around 9:30PM, the shooting continued and the Mopol had also fired tear gas with the women stripping bare,” one eyewitness, Emmanuel (second name withheld) told this reporter.
“The women were said to have thrown stones into the compound and shattered a window pane which some are saying really infuriated the Mopol men,” another eyewitness, Ushie Adie said.
The squadron, whose permanent camp remains a subject of controversy is currently camped at the Mega Hilton hotel which belongs to Cross River Governor, Benedict Ayade.
The Police spokesperson in the state, DSP Irene Ugbo could not be reached a second time to confirm this incident.
Update
CrossRiverWatch has obtained picture of the victim of the stray bullet.
His name is Justine Adigeb. See him below.
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