By Abasi Ita
A 23 year old man has allegedly killed his father with a machete in Ugep, Yakurr Local Government Area of Cross River State, throwing the community into shock.
The incident reportedly occurred on Sunday at O 3 Palace, Usaja, in Ikpakapit Ward, shortly after the victim returned home from church.
Eyewitness accounts indicated that the suspect, identified as Bassey Ubi, attacked his father inside the family house, inflicting a deep machete wound on the neck that led to his death on the spot.
The situation degenerated as angry residents 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 preliminary information suggested that the suspect may have acted under the influence of illicit drugs.
“The incident happened in the early hours of the day. The suspect, Bassey Ubi, is 23 years old and is believed to be a drug user. From the information at our disposal, the action may have been influenced by substance abuse,” Eitokpah said.
He added that the victim had just returned from church when he was attacked by his son.
“It was a deep machete cut on the neck inflicted by the son on his father,” the police spokesman stated.
Eitokpah further disclosed that the suspect sustained injuries from the mob before police intervention and was taken for medical treatment before being placed in custody for further investigation.
He also revealed that the body of the deceased was taken to the morgue in Ugep by family members before the arrival of police officers at the scene.
The police spokesperson emphasized that the Cross River State Police Command, under the leadership of Commissioner of Police, CP Rashid Afegbua, strongly condemns jungle justice.
He urged members of the public to report suspects to law enforcement agencies and warned that jungle justice is a criminal offence punishable under the law.