The family of 21-year-old Moses Mba is demanding justice after his tragic death, allegedly at the hands of security operatives linked to the residence of Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu.
Moses’ mother, Mrs. Victoria Mba, in an emotional appeal, accused the governor’s security aides of brutally assaulting and shooting her son on August 1, 2025, after he insisted on delivering what he described as “a message from God” to the governor.
According to her, Moses, who was preparing to study Business Administration at the University of Calabar, succumbed to injuries on August 9 at the Naval Reference Hospital, Calabar, despite undergoing surgery on his left leg, where he was shot.
“My son was beaten and shot simply because he wanted to see the governor. He told us before dying that he had a vision and wanted to deliver God’s message,” Mrs. Mba said, weeping.
She alleged that the Red Cross Society, whose office was nearby, rushed Moses to the hospital and spent over ₦1.3 million on his treatment. She further claimed that throughout his hospitalization, plain-clothed security operatives monitored the hospital and later threatened the family after his death.
Mrs. Mba also alleged attempts by state officials, including the Commissioner of Police, to access her son’s body at the mortuary, while accusing some aides of offering her ₦3 million to remain silent.
Government Responds
The Cross River State Government, however, denied the allegations, stating that the governor’s official residence was not where the incident occurred.
State Commissioner for Information, Erasmus Ekpang, clarified that only one police officer was at the old residence when Moses showed up. He alleged that Moses was “not mentally stable” and had attacked the officer with stones before being overpowered.
“There is video evidence of him throwing large stones at the policeman. Still, we strongly condemn the beating and shooting. No one should lose their life under such circumstances,” Ekpang stated.
The Cross River Police Command confirmed that the case has been transferred to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for legal advice, as investigations continue.
The Bigger Picture
The incident has sparked outrage on social media, with many Nigerians demanding transparency and justice. Advocacy groups are already calling for an independent probe into the alleged abuse of power by security aides, highlighting once again the rising cases of security brutality and extra-judicial killings in Nigeria.
For now, Moses Mba’s body remains in the morgue as his grieving mother insists:
“I want justice for my son. He cannot die in vain.”
