A 46-year-old window fabricator who was mistakenly shot three months ago by a policeman has become paralysed.
Having exhausted his entire savings and donations from kind-hearted individuals, Charles Mkpang is now appealing for help to cover the high cost of his ongoing medical treatment.
The policeman who shot him, identified as Inspector Effiong Bassey, was alleged to be mentally unstable.
The incident occurred at Atakpa Police Station, adjacent to Watt Market, very early on Sunday, March 23, 2025.
The inspector reportedly opened fire at the police station, killing three and injuring four others before he was overpowered. Mkpang was one of the survivors.
Mkpang spoke to journalists with great pain and difficulty, owing to a hole in his mouth left by a bullet.
He lamented that he had been abandoned by the authorities and is struggling to survive.
He disclosed that the bullet wounds had left him with partial paralysis.
“If I drink water or eat, it comes out through my nose. I cannot lift my left hand or leg. I am living with pain every day,” Mkpang lamented.
Mkpang narrated that after the initial surgery, he was moved to a stroke centre where he paid N18,000 daily.
According to him, he paid this amount for three weeks, yet still suffers complications.
As a result, doctors have recommended that he undergo a second surgery.
Mkpang’s wife, a primary school teacher, has also exhausted her savings, and the family now survives on handouts from friends.
According to him, since the incident, support from the police and government has ceased.
On how much support he has received from the police whose personnel shot him, Mkpang explained:
“My wife said on the fateful Sunday of the incident when I was taken to the hospital, the then Police AIG gave her N50,000 and the next day he sent another N100,000 before a woman who said she was a police officer from the command brought N50,000. Aside from that, we have been on our own.
“The governor’s wife sent me N400,000. Someone called VeryDarkMan sent in N500,000. I spent most of these donations on drugs and the initial surgery.
“One particular drug costs N42,000 and it lasts for just a few days.
“I have sent messages to my representative in the State House of Assembly, Member Representing Calabar Municipality, Stanley Nsemo. He’s promised to take the matter to court, but nothing has happened yet.
“I have two children. I cannot work. I need help from the government.”
Speaking on the matter, Cross River State Commissioner of Police Olusegun Omosanyin said they are pushing to have the state government take over his medical bills.
“The incident happened before I took over as CP, and it was during the time of former AIG Zone 6, AIG Bala Mustapha Mohammed.
“We forwarded the requests of both the deceased and the injured to the state government. Government seems to believe it’s police negligence, and therefore our responsibility.
“We have since dismissed the shooter from service and charged him to court. Presently, he is on remand at Afokang Correctional Centre.
“I’ve supported his bills with N100,000. The former AIG Zone 6 sent in his N150,000 to support the treatment.”
