A deeply troubling incident has unfolded at the popular Marian Market in Calabar Municipality, Cross River State, where a young man was allegedly killed following a family dispute involving his mother and elder sister. The incident occurred over the weekend and has left traders and residents in shock.
According to eyewitnesses, the confrontation began shortly after the young man arrived at his mother’s stall. The mother, who is widely known in the market for selling fish in bulk, was reportedly engaged in a heated argument with her son. Some traders said the young man appeared disoriented and unsettled when he approached the stall.
Market women who witnessed the encounter claimed that the mother and son had a history of tense interactions, especially during moments when he was believed to be under the influence of substances. Several traders recounted previous incidents in which the mother expressed fear for her safety, alleging that her son sometimes acted aggressively.
“The boy often came here looking confused,” one trader said. “The mother had complained before that he became difficult to control whenever he used drugs. We were always worried something like this might happen.”
The situation took a more serious turn when the young man’s elder sister arrived. Eyewitnesses alleged that the mother, overwhelmed and frightened during the argument, instructed her daughter to intervene. The sister reportedly confronted her brother, and the altercation quickly escalated into an attack that left him fatally injured.
Traders who rushed to the scene said the young man became unresponsive while waiting for help. Realizing the severity of the situation, the mother and daughter reportedly tried to leave the area, causing panic among market women who feared they might be held responsible if the family members disappeared.
“The mother tried to run, but we stopped her. We didn’t want any misunderstanding when the police came,” another trader explained. The daughter, however, reportedly managed to escape in the confusion and has not yet been located.
Authorities were contacted immediately. Police officers from Calabar Municipality arrived at the market and detained the mother for questioning as part of an ongoing investigation. Traders said officers secured the area and gathered initial statements from witnesses.
Efforts to obtain an official response from the Cross River State Police Command were unsuccessful, as calls to the Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Igri Ewa, were not returned at the time of reporting.
The incident has sparked widespread concern within the Marian Market community. Many traders are calling for more effective support for families dealing with substance-related challenges and improved mechanisms for handling escalating disputes before they turn violent.
Investigations into the incident are ongoing, and authorities are working to establish the full circumstances surrounding the tragedy and locate the missing sister.
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