Normalcy has returned to Calabar after a gun duel between the Police and the Nigerian Navy in a part of the city on Tuesday night. In the fracas, a police officer was shot and killed by naval personnel, while the police also shot and injured a naval officer. Calabar is not known for violence and it is easily regarded as one of the safest cities in the country.
Also, a section of the Akim Police barracks located along IBB Road, was destroyed by the naval men and some cars were burnt. Tell-tale signs of the avoidable war between both uniformed personnel still dot the arena.
Gov. Ben Ayade who addressed newsmen after the State Security Council meeting on Wednesday, urged the citizens to go about their legitimate businesses as normalcy has returned to the affected area.
According to Ayade, the unfortunate incident was as a result of a misunderstanding between some officers of the police and the Nigerian Navy.
“I want to assure the citizenry, and indeed Nigerians, that the whole area is calm after the unfortunate incident that arouse from the misunderstanding between the police and the navy.
“The senior officers were quite proactive by intervening fast to arrest the situation yesterday. We are proud to announce to you that Calabar, and indeed Cross River is totally calm.
“The unfortunate incident arose from an issue at a traffic light spot, at the stadium, off IBB road.
“A Police officer was trying to control traffic and that led to the misunderstanding between him and a team of young naval officers’’, he explained.
The governor urged officers and men operating in the state to see themselves as partners in progress at all times.
Commodore Salihu Jubril, Commander, Nigerian Navy Ship Victory, said: “We are saddened by yesterday’s incident. However, I am very delighted to tell you that normalcy has returned.
“The incident only affected a portion of IBB road and not the entire metropolis and we are fully on ground to prevent possible escalation.
“Let me assure you that the culprits will be brought to book, properly investigated and appropriate sanctions meted on them,” he added.
Also speaking, Mr Hafiz Inuwa, the State Commissioner of Police, said that the clash would not affect the existing relationship between the police and the navy in the state.
“We are glad to announce to the public that Calabar and the entire state is calm and our status as the safest state remains without a doubt.
“All the service commanders in the state are one and active partners in progress; particularly on issues of security and protection of lives and property of the citizenry’’, he said.
