Tension flared in Cross River State on Monday as irate youths and women from Nwang I and II communities, alongside residents of the Ekajuk Clan in Ogoja Local Government Area, stormed the Ogoja Area Command of the Nigeria Police Force, demanding the release of a suspected murderer.
The suspect, identified as 35-year-old Malime Sunday Ejor, was reportedly apprehended in connection with the killing of his 26-year-old girlfriend, Moshie Lucy Igu.
The incident was said to have occurred on Saturday at a farm settlement in Nwang village.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Sunday Etiokpah, the suspect allegedly assaulted the victim at the farm before dragging her to a nearby stream, where she sustained fatal machete injuries.
Etiokpah explained that officers swiftly responded to the report, secured the scene, and arrested the suspect, who was also shielded from a mob that attempted to lynch him.
He noted that the suspect remains in protective custody while investigations continue.
He further disclosed that arrangements were ongoing to deposit the victim’s body at the General Hospital mortuary in Ogoja.
The situation escalated on Monday when protesters besieged the police command, insisting on the immediate release of the suspect.
The demonstration reportedly turned violent, with some officers attacked and property damaged.
The police spokesperson revealed that a Hyundai vehicle and parts of the Rapid Response Squad facility were vandalised during the unrest.
“On March 30, 2026, at about 10:30am, groups of women and youths from Nwang I and II, as well as other parts of Ekajuk Clan, converged on the Area Command headquarters in Ogoja, demanding the release of the suspect earlier moved to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Calabar.
“The protest became unruly, leading to attacks on officers and destruction of property. Security personnel deployed smoke canisters to disperse the crowd, and eight persons were taken into custody,” the statement read.
Etiokpah added that calm had since been restored to the area, noting that those arrested were later handed over to a community leader in a bid to ease tensions.
He confirmed that the suspect had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Calabar for further probe and urged residents to remain law-abiding, assuring that due process would be followed to ensure justice.