The Cross River State Police Command has arrested a man in connection with the death of a 42-year-old resident of Ajere in Yakurr Local Government Area, following an alleged dispute over N500.
The suspect, identified as Ebino Mbang Ikpi, was apprehended by police operatives several hours after the incident and is expected to face further questioning as investigators work to establish the circumstances surrounding the death of Ayei Ekpe Ibor.
The development was confirmed by the command’s spokesperson, ASP Sunday Eitokpah, in a statement released on Sunday, September 27, 2026.
According to the police, the incident happened at Kekoti, Ajere, after Ibor and Ikpi reportedly became involved in a disagreement over money.
The command said the N500 involved in the dispute was allegedly money given as a gift to both men. What began as an argument reportedly escalated into a physical confrontation, during which Ibor was allegedly stabbed.
Police said the victim, who was about 42 years old and from Okonobngha, Ajere, was later confirmed dead following the incident.
The command said it received information about the stabbing at approximately 1:00 a.m. on September 27.
Following the report, police operatives were immediately deployed to begin efforts to locate the alleged suspect.
Officers also commenced arrangements to recover the deceased for the necessary medical procedures and certification.
The police said Ikpi fled the area shortly after the incident, prompting officers to launch a search for him.
Their efforts eventually led investigators to a hideout in the Ajere-Ekori area, where the suspect was arrested at about 8:40 a.m.
After his arrest, Ikpi was taken to the Yakurr Police Division and placed in custody while investigators commenced further inquiries into the circumstances surrounding Ibor’s death.
However, the arrest was followed by a separate confrontation involving a group of sympathisers and other persons who reportedly gathered at the Ekori Police Division.
According to the police, the group arrived at the station demanding the release of the suspect.
The command said the protesters became agitated after discovering that Ikpi was not being kept at the station.
The situation reportedly escalated, with members of the group allegedly attacking the police facility with stones.
The attack allegedly resulted in significant damage to parts of the police station and some official property.
The command listed seven broken windows among the items damaged during the incident.
It also reported damage to the door of the DPO/DCO office, six plastic chairs, a wall mirror and part of the station’s roofing.
The passenger-side window of the official vehicle belonging to the Divisional Police Officer was also reportedly damaged.
The police said the unrest was not limited to the station.
According to Eitokpah, the residence of Ajere Youth Leader, Omini Jacob, was also attacked. The police spokesperson said Jacob was allegedly targeted because some of those involved accused him of assisting law enforcement authorities in connection with the incident.
Police operatives were subsequently mobilised to disperse the crowd and prevent the situation from escalating further.
The command said security personnel were able to restore normalcy in the area after the intervention.
As part of measures to prevent another attack, the affected police division has reportedly been reinforced by personnel from the Area Command in Ugep and the Violent Crimes Response Unit (VCRU), Ugep.
The Commissioner of Police in Cross River State, CP Ajo Geoffrey Ordue, has also ordered that the murder suspect be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation.
The transfer is expected to allow investigators to conduct a more detailed examination of the circumstances surrounding the alleged stabbing, including the events that preceded the confrontation between the two men.
The police commissioner further directed officers to identify and arrest individuals suspected of participating in the subsequent attack on the police division.
Investigators are also expected to establish the extent of damage caused to police and private property during the unrest and determine the identities of those responsible.
The command stressed that the arrest of Ikpi remains part of an ongoing investigation and that the suspect would be subjected to due process.
Meanwhile, the police have appealed to residents of Ajere and other communities in the area to remain calm and law-abiding as investigations continue.
The command warned against attempts by individuals or groups to take matters into their own hands, particularly where criminal allegations are involved.
It further stated that while the police would continue to respect the rights of suspects and members of the public, attacks on police facilities, destruction of property and attempts to obstruct criminal investigations would be addressed in accordance with the law.
The command assured residents that security personnel would continue to monitor the situation and take appropriate measures to prevent further violence.
The investigation into Ibor’s death, as well as the alleged attack on the police division and the youth leader’s residence, remains ongoing.
The Cross River State Police Command said additional information would be made available as investigators make progress.