Follow Us on Google
From Aniekan Aniekan, Calabar
The Cross River State Police Command has arrested Ebino Mbang Ikpi for allegedly stabbing his 42-year-old friend, Ayei Ekpe Ibor, to death during a fight over N500 in Kekoti, Ajere, Yakurr Local Government Area of the state.
The incident occurred at about 1:00 a.m. on September 27, 2026, following a misunderstanding between the two men over N500 reportedly given to them as a gift.
The police said the disagreement escalated into a fight during which Ibor, a resident of Okonobngha, Ajere, was stabbed. He was confirmed dead, while the suspect fled the scene.
Police operatives subsequently launched a manhunt for the suspect and arrested him by 8:40 a.m. in his hideout in the Ajere-Ekori area.
The suspect was taken to the Ekori Police Division, Yakurr, for questioning.
Shortly after his arrest, friends and supporters of the suspect reportedly mobilised and attacked the police station, demanding his release.
According to the command’s spokesman, ASP Eitokpah Sunday Akata, the group, on discovering that the suspect was no longer at the station, resorted to violence.
“On discovering that he was not at the station, the group allegedly resorted to throwing stones at the station, resulting in damage to seven windows, the DPO/DCO office door, six plastic chairs, a wall mirror, part of the roofing and the passenger-side glass of the DPO’s official vehicle,” Akata said in a statement.
The sympathisers also reportedly attacked the residence of the Ajere Youth Leader, Omini Jacob, accusing him of assisting the police in the arrest of the suspect.
Other News
Akata said police operatives moved in to disperse the crowd and restore normalcy, adding that the station has been reinforced by the Area Commander, Ugep, and the Violent Crimes Response Unit (VCRU), Ugep.
“The situation has since been brought under control, while the station has been reinforced by the ACPOL Ugep and the VCRU, Ugep,” he said.
Commissioner of Police, Geoffrey Ordue, has directed that the suspect be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation.
He also ordered the arrest of all persons found to have participated in the attack on the police division.
The Command urged residents to remain calm and warned that attacks on police formations and destruction of public property would be dealt with in accordance with the law.
Alternative headline options:
N500 gift: Police arrest man for allegedly stabbing friend to death
Man kills friend over N500 gift, sympathisers attack police station
N500 dispute: Police arrest suspected killer, sympathisers attack station
Cross River: Man allegedly kills friend over N500, mob attacks police station
