Shock in Cross River community as young man allegedly slits father’s throat in Ugep

Residents of Ugep in Yakurr Local Government Area of Cross River State were thrown into panic and disbelief on Sunday following a tragic domestic incident that reportedly claimed the life of a middle-aged man.

The incident involved a 23-year-old suspect who allegedly attacked his father with a machete, resulting in the father’s death.

Sources in the community said the event occurred near the O 3 Palace area in Usaja, located in Ikpakapit Ward. According to eyewitness accounts, the suspect, identified as Bassey Ubi, allegedly confronted his father shortly after the man returned home from church.

Residents were said to have attempted to lynch the suspect before police officers arrived and rescued him from the mob.

Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Cross River State Police Command, ASP Sunday Eitokpah, said the suspect was believed to have acted under the influence of illicit substances.

“The unfortunate incident occurred in the early hours of today. The suspect is Bassey Ubi, 23 years old, and he is an alleged drug addict. From the information available to us, it is likely the influence of drugs that made him act in that manner,” Eitokpah said.

He explained further that the victim had just returned from church when he was attacked by his son inside the house.

“It was a deep machete cut on the neck inflicted by the son on his father,” the police spokesman added.

Eitokpah disclosed that the suspect sustained injuries from the mob before police intervention.

“If not for the timely intervention of the police, the suspect would have been killed. He was first taken for medical attention and thereafter detained in our facility for further investigation,” he said.

He also revealed that the body of the deceased had been taken to the morgue in Ugep by family members before the police arrived at the scene.

The PPRO stated that the Cross River State Police Command, under the leadership of the Commissioner of Police, CP Rashid Afegbua, strongly condemns jungle justice.

He urged members of the public to always report suspected criminal activities to the police and warned that jungle justice remains a criminal offence, adding that anyone found culpable would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.