The police in Cross River State have reacted to a bloody incident at the Akpabuyo/Bakassi/Calabar South APC primaries for the House of Representatives primaries yesterday.

The election was between the Deputy Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Mr. Joseph Bassey, and ex-Commissioner for Transport and Marine, Mr. Saviour Nyong.

Eyewitnesses said one of the candidates allegedly hijacked materials for the primary. This, they said, angered supporters of the rival aspirants and resulted in a face-off.

In the process, the anti-cultism unit of the police stepped in to restore order. Shots were fired, leading to the stampede.

One Emman, a youth leader at ward 7 Calabar South, rushed to where he parked his vehicle and was reportedly begging one of the shooters to allow him to take his vehicle but was shot.

Defending the police, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Irene Ugbo, said there were hoodlums who came into the venue after the primaries had been concluded. We did not know their motive.

She said, “Our men were shot at by the hoodlums and in the process, the police responded. Three of our men were wounded and are currently receiving treatment."

The suspect in question was armed with a pistol.

“We don’t know if the move was politically motivated. Already we have intelligence that they are planning to attack some of our formations, including the Anti Cult and Kidnapping Squad (ACKS) domiciled inside the cultural centre.

Three days ago, one policeman was killed at Obudu during a PDP primary election.