23-Year Old Preacher Killed In Cross River Govt House, Mother Cried Out For Justice

By Stanley Ekpenyong, South South Bureau Chief

Governor Otu orders arrest of Police Personnel involved

Mrs Victoria Jolly Mba whose 23 year old first son, Onyekachi Moses Mba, was allegedly tortured and shot to death, by some police personnel attached to Government House, Calabar, has cried out for justice.

Mrs Mba is appealing to  Police authorities to intervene and bring the killer(s) of her son to book. This is as the Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Otu, has condemned the killing of the 23 year old, and ordered the arrest of the Police personnel involved.

According to Mrs Mba, late Onyekachi was killed when he went to the Government House to preach and deliver a vision he claimed he had for the State.

Reactig to the incident, the Governor strongly condemned what he described as a “brazen act of lawlessness and abuse of authority” following the tragic death of 23-year-old Onyekachi Moses in Calabar.

In a statement issued by the State Commissioner for Information, Dr. Erasmus Ekpang, the Governor lamented that the young man, who sustained grievous injuries  from the reckless actions of a Police Officer, died after several days of battling for his life in hospital. Governor Otu, the statement disclosed, has directed the immediate arrest and investigation of the Officer involved.

“His Excellency, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu, has mandated the Commissioner of Police to effect the immediate arrest of the implicated officer and ensure a thorough investigation into this grievous misconduct,” the statement read. “Impunity has no sanctuary under this administration.”

The Governor described the incident as a violation not only of human dignity but also of the core principles of justice and security that form the bedrock of civil order. “Those entrusted with protecting lives cannot become purveyors of fear and tragedy,” the release stressed.

Governor Otu, according to the statement, warned that any officer who betrays the sacred duty of protection and public trust would face the full weight of the law.

“Let it be known unequivocally: this Government will not shield any agent of the State who undermines justice,” he affirmed.

To the bereaved family, the Government extended deep condolences, assuring them of justice. “Our hearts are with the family of late Onyekachi in this painful hour. The Cross River State Government stands firmly with you and assures that justice will not be delayed nor denied,” the statement conveyed.

The release further called on citizens to remain calm and law-abiding, emphasizing that the Government is determined to pursue accountability with transparency.

“We urge our people to remain peaceful and confident in our collective resolve to seek truth and enforce justice,” it added.

It pledged that the administration would not rest until the memory of the deceased was honoured with firm and transparent accountability. “This Government shall not relent until the assurance is clear that such impunity will never again be tolerated on our soil,” the statement declared.

The Governor reaffirmed his Government’s commitment to the sanctity of life, the rule of law, and the people-first philosophy that underpins his administration.

According to the grief- stricken mother, on the 1st of August 2025, her son was brutally beaten and shot dead by aides and security operatives attached to the Cross River State Governor after he went to the Governor’s residence to preach the gospel and share a vision he claimed he had for the State.

“They beat him mercilessly and shot him, an unarmed civilian for that matter. After shooting him, they abandoned him there to die. He was shot around 11 a.m., and it was not until 7 p.m. that the Red Cross came to carry him to the hospital,” she narrated in tears.

Mrs. Mba further revealed that the family had written a petition to Zone 6 Police Command, but three weeks after, nothing has been done.

“The AIG (Zone 6) sent a notice to them to produce those involved in my son’s murder, but till today, nothing has been done. They said since the Governor’s name is mentioned, nothing will be done. Please help me, I need justice. My son was not a criminal, neither was he armed. They killed him and abandoned me after all my sweat,” she cried.

The devastated family insists they have proof of the incident and are appealing to Nigerians, human rights organizations, and relevant authorities to intervene and ensure justice is served.