Cross River Police Deny Shooting Claims During Protests

The Cross River State Police Command issued a statement denying claims that officers shot protesters during demonstrations at the University of Cross River State. The command described a viral video as misleading and inaccurate.

The protests were reportedly triggered by the death of three students in a road accident on May 1, 2026, at Ikot Okon, near Odukpani Local Government Area. Following credible intelligence about planned protests, police deployed personnel, including Deputy Commissioner of Police Eitokpah Akata, to monitor the situation.

Initially peaceful, the protests turned violent, leading to vandalism of public infrastructure, including an ambulance facility. The police maintained that no live ammunition was used and no fatalities occurred due to police actions.

The command emphasized the use of non-lethal crowd control measures, such as smoke canisters, to restore order. Governor Bassey Otu expressed grief over the tragic loss of students and extended condolences to their families and the university community.