An Inspector of Police, Stephen Enang, tragically slumped and died shortly after watching a highly anticipated football match between Arsenal FC and Real Madrid, which ended in a 3-0 victory for the English side.
The incident occurred on Tuesday evening at a viewing centre located along Abang-Asang Street in Calabar, Cross River State. Eyewitnesses said the deceased, a native of Ekori in Yakurr Local Government Area, was a well-known football enthusiast and passionate Arsenal supporter.
Enang, who was attached to the Akim Police Division along IBB Way, Calabar, was said to be in high spirits throughout the game. According to one of his friends who was present at the viewing centre, the officer jumped up in celebration after each of Arsenal’s goals.
“He was healthy, cheerful, and celebrating enthusiastically. But after the final whistle, we noticed he wasn’t getting up like the rest of us. That’s when we knew something was wrong,” the friend recounted.
He was immediately rushed to the Police Hospital in Akim, where medical personnel made efforts to revive him, but he was pronounced dead on arrival.
“He was soft-spoken, football-loving, and friendly. His sudden death is a devastating shock to all who knew him,” the friend added.
As of the time of filing this report, efforts to obtain an official comment from the Cross River State Police Command were unsuccessful. Calls to the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Irene Ugbo, went unanswered.
The news has thrown the police community and residents of Calabar into mourning, with many expressing disbelief over the untimely demise of a man described as diligent and passionate.