NORMALCY has returned to Calabar after a gun duel between the Police and the Nigerian Navy in a part of the city on Tuesday, May 30. A police officer was shot and killed by naval personnel, while the police also shot and injured a naval officer on his shoulder during the clash on Tuesday night.

Also, a section of the Akim Police barracks located along IBB Road, was destroyed by the naval men and some cars were equally burnt too.

Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State, who addressed newsmen after the State Security Council meeting on Wednesday, 31, urged the citizens to go about their legitimate businesses as normalcy has returned to the affected area. Ayade said that the unfortunate incident was as a result of a misunderstanding between some officers of the police and the Nigerian Navy. “I want to assure the citizenry, and indeed Nigerians, that the whole area is calm after the unfortunate incident that arouse from the misunderstanding between the police and the navy.

“The senior officers were quite proactive by intervening fast to arrest the situation yesterday. We are proud to announce to you that Calabar, and indeed Cross River is totally calm.

“The unfortunate incident arose from an issue at a traffic light spot, at the stadium, off IBB road.

“A Police officer was trying to control traffic and that led to the misunderstanding between him and a team of young naval officers,’’ he said. The governor urged officers and men operating in the state to see themselves as partners in progress at all times.

Salihu Jubril, a commodore and commander, Nigerian Navy Ship Victory, said: “We are saddened by yesterday’s incident. However, I am very delighted to tell you that normalcy has returned. The incident only affected a portion of IBB road and not the entire metropolis and we are fully on ground to prevent possible escalation.

“Let me assure you that the culprits will be brought to book, properly investigated and appropriate sanctions meted on them.”

In his own statement, Hafiz Inuwa, the state commissioner of Police, promised that the clash would not affect the existing relationship between the Police and the Navy in the state. Inuwa said: “We are glad to announce to the public that Calabar and the entire state is calm and our status as the safest state remains without a doubt.

“All the service commanders in the state are one and active partners in progress; particularly on issues of security and protection of lives and property of the citizenry.’’

— May 31, 2017 @ 17:10 GMT