A police officer identified as Martins Mbang, was shot dead at the venue of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s House of Representatives primary in the Obudu Local Government Area of Cross River State.
The election was to nominate a candidate of the party in the 2023 general elections for the Obudu/Obanliku/Bekwara federal constituency.
Reports say that the police officer and his colleague were shot at the Handmaid’s International Nursery and Primary School along Hospital Road where the primary was to hold.
Cross Rivers Watch reports that supporters of some of the aspirants were protesting for yet to be specified reasons and opened fire on the policemen.
Sporadic gun shots were fired for close to 10 minutes. The shooters were eventually chased away while the PDP members strategised on what to do next.
The Cross River State Police Spokesperson, SP Irene Ugbo, who confirmed the incident on Monday evening said that one other officer was injured while eight persons have been arrested.
“One of our officers was killed and another was injured. We have arrested eight suspects in connection with the incident,” the PPRO stated.
SP Ugbo regretted that violence already commenced when the main election has not even commenced.