The Cross River State Government has expressed deep sorrow over the death of 21-year-old Moses Mba, whose family continues to demand justice after he allegedly sustained fatal injuries during an encounter with security personnel.
Moses’s mother, Victoria Mba, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday that her son was beaten and shot by security aides at the former residence of Governor Bassey Otu on August 1. Moses, who would have turned 22 in November, died on August 9 at the Naval Reference Hospital, Calabar, from gunshot wounds and injuries sustained during the alleged assault.
According to Mrs. Mba, the incident occurred after her son insisted on delivering what he described as a “message from God” to the governor. “We were away in Abia when it happened. On our return, we were informed by the Red Cross that he had been rushed to the hospital,” she said. She added that Moses had always been passionate about God’s work since childhood.
The grieving mother alleged that no effort was made by the security operatives to save Moses after he was injured. She said Red Cross officials intervened, covering ₦1.3 million in medical expenses for surgery on his left leg, but claimed that security aides monitored him at the hospital and demanded receipts for the treatment.
Mrs. Mba also alleged intimidation from officials, including Emmanuel Dickson, an aide to the governor’s Chief of Staff, and recounted that a few days after her son’s death, attempts were made by police officers, including the state Commissioner of Police, to access the body at the morgue. She added that burial has been delayed amid threats and claims that her son had mental health issues—a claim she strongly denied, citing his academic achievements.
Meanwhile, the Cross River State Government condemned the shooting but absolved the governor’s security aides of responsibility. State Commissioner for Information Erasmus Ekpang clarified that the deceased visited the former, not current, governor’s residence and alleged that Moses was mentally unstable. “Video evidence shows the boy throwing large stones at the policeman. He even apologized at a point,” Ekpang said.
The state Commissioner of Police confirmed that the matter has been forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for legal guidance, emphasizing that subsequent actions will follow the DPP’s advice.
The family, however, insists on justice, appealing to Nigerians for support in securing accountability for Moses’s death