According to a report by The Nation, an official of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Cross River State has shot a man said to be urinating opposite the Calabar, Cross River State office of the Corps.
The 32-year-old man simply identified as Nwa-Aba was shot early yesterday morning.
The shooter was not identified.
An eyewitness said Nwa-Aba was shot twice in his waist as he relieved himself about 50 metres away from the NSCDC office.
“He was urinating at a spot when the Civil Defence officer shot him in his waist. He is a labourer at the Petroleum Tanker Driver’s park. He has been rushed to the hospital and we don’t know his condition for now,” he said.
One Bright Uzo, who also witnessed the incident, condemned the shooting, saying the bullets could have killed Nwa-Aba.
“Was he suspected of having any intention to commit a crime? They shot him before knowing that he was only urinating. Even if it was at their gate, he ought not to shoot him. He is not a criminal, he is just answering the call of nature,” Uzo said.
The shooting sparked up a protest in the early morning hours as group of youths demanded justice for the victim.
Some armed officials of NSCDC dispersed the protesters.
NSCDC spokesman Solomon John said the incident was being investigated.
“We came in this morning (Wednesday) to discover what happened because it happened in the early hours and only officers who were on night duty witnessed it. I can tell you that there is an ongoing investigation,” he said, adding that “the guy is okay” after being rushed to hospital.
