Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
A 36-year-old man has died after he was allegedly stabbed during a heated argument in the Etayip Community of Ikom Local Government Area, Cross River State, an incident that has prompted a swift response from the police and renewed concerns over the escalation of interpersonal conflicts into lethal violence. The Cross River State Police Command confirmed the tragic development in a statement issued in Calabar on Monday, 6 July 2026, by the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Sunday Eitokpah.
According to the police spokesperson, the command received a report of the incident at the Ikom Police Division at about 10:37 p.m. on Saturday, 4 July 2026. The report was lodged by Ndifon Nkang Ndifon of Aya Street, Ikom, and Felix Agbor of Mankono Village, Ikom, who serve as the Task Force Chairman and Youth Leader of the Asse-Asin Community, respectively.
Preliminary investigations revealed that at about 5:46 p.m. on the same day, a dispute erupted between Charles Ekuma Eze, 36, and Michael Ndifon, 42. During the argument, Ndifon allegedly stabbed Eze on the right side of his rib with a dagger. The circumstances immediately preceding the argument are yet to be fully established, as investigations into the matter are ongoing.
Following the stabbing, residents rushed the victim to Holy Family Hospital in Ikom for emergency medical treatment. Due to the severity of his injuries, he was later referred to the Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, where he was confirmed dead by a medical doctor while receiving treatment. The deceased's body has since been deposited in the hospital morgue pending an autopsy.
ASP Eitokpah confirmed that the suspect, Michael Ndifon, has been arrested and is currently in police custody. The suspected murder weapon—a dagger—has also been recovered and retained as an exhibit. The police spokesperson assured the public that a thorough investigation is underway and that the case will be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for discreet and comprehensive investigation. He urged residents to remain calm and allow the law to take its full course.
The fatal stabbing has left the Etayip community unsettled, highlighting the persistent challenge of interpersonal violence that often escalates tragically in the absence of effective conflict resolution mechanisms. As the State CID assumes jurisdiction over the investigation, the family of the deceased and the wider community await the judicial process, hoping that the swift arrest of the suspect will prevent any retaliatory violence between the families involved. The police have assured that further updates will be communicated as the investigation progresses.
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