Cross River Governor Condemns Killing of Young Abian Preacher by Security Officer

Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Otu, has strongly condemned the killing of a 21-year-old Abia-born youth, Moses Mba, who was shot by a security officer at the governor’s former residence in Calabar.

Mba, who recently wrote his JAMB and WAEC examinations, had visited the premises on August 1, reportedly to deliver a religious message. According to eyewitness accounts, he was confronted by a lone security officer after insisting on seeing the governor. He was beaten and shot. He later died on August 9 at the Naval Reference Hospital in Calabar.

His mother, Victoria Mba, insists her son was not mentally unstable, describing him as a brilliant young man who scored 196 in JAMB and was awaiting admission to study Business Administration at the University of Calabar. She alleged that after the shooting, security aides monitored him in hospital, demanded receipts for his treatment, delayed the release of his body, and even pressured the family to accept hush money in exchange for silence.

In a statement, the Cross River State Government described the incident as tragic and unacceptable. The Commissioner for Information confirmed that the premises involved was the governor’s former residence, not the official Government House. He clarified that only one officer was involved, citing a video that showed the young man throwing stones before the confrontation. Despite this, Governor Otu maintained that no act of violence against unarmed citizens will be tolerated under his leadership.

The governor directed that the incident be thoroughly investigated and that the officer involved face justice. He stressed that those assigned to protect lives must not become threats to the same people they are meant to safeguard. The State Police Command has since transferred the case to the Director of Public Prosecutions for legal advice.

The killing has drawn widespread outrage, with rights groups and concerned citizens demanding justice. The case highlights growing concerns about excessive force by security personnel attached to government officials.

Governor Otu has promised accountability and justice, assuring the family and the public that the matter will not be swept under the carpet.