By Ike Uchechukwu, CALABAR

A commercial mini-bus driver, Godwin Ukpai Okobo, has been accused of killing a Traffic Management and Regulatory Agency (TRAMRA) officer, Mr Akerete Okon, during an altercation in Calabar, Cross River State.

The incident occurred on Monday, May 25, 2026, at about 10:00 a.m. around the Marian Hills area in Calabar South, during a routine traffic enforcement operation by officials of the agency.

According to a statement issued by TRAMRA management, the deceased officer was allegedly stabbed in the chest with a screwdriver by the driver while performing his lawful duty.

“The Traffic Management and Regulatory Agency (TRAMRA) announces with profound grief and outrage the killing of one of our officers, who was stabbed to death in the chest with a screwdriver by a commercial mini bus driver while on official duty.

“The incident occurred on 25, May 2026 at approximately 1000 Hours at Calabar South.

” The officer was carrying out routine traffic management and regulatory enforcement to ensure the safety and order of road users. He was unarmed, in uniform, and performing his lawful duty when he was attacked without provocation.

“Despite efforts to save his life, our colleague succumbed to his injuries. We extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues. His death is a devastating loss to TRAMRA and to the public he served with dedication,” the statement read.

I”Assaulting and killing public officers who work daily to protect lives, reduce accidents, and maintain order on our roads is a direct attack on law, order, and every citizen’s right to safety. No traffic dispute, no matter how heated, justifies murder.”

Confirming the incident, the Cross River State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Sunday Eitokpah, said preliminary findings showed that Godwin Ukpai Okobo was involved in the altercation that led to the officer’s death.

“The Command is aware of the unfortunate incident. Preliminary information indicates that one Godwin Ukpai Okobo, ‘m’, a commercial mini-bus driver, was involved in an altercation with officials of TRAMRA yesterday around Marian Hills, Calabar.

“The altercation allegedly resulted in the death of one Mr Akerete Okon, a TRAMRA officer, after he was rushed to the hospital,” Eitokpah said.

He stated that investigation into the incident has commenced to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the officer’s death, assuring that the police would conduct a thorough and impartial probe.