C'River: Wife Alleges Cover Up Over Death of NSCDC Husband, Demands Justice

By Bassey Bassey

The widow of late Christopher Ashibi, a personnel of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, Mrs Deborah Ashibi, has alleged an attempt by the Cross River State Government to cover up responsibility for her husband’s death.

Deborah, 34, made the allegation in Calabar during an interview with journalists, where she demanded justice for her late husband.

Christopher Ashibi was reportedly killed after being hit by a vehicle in the convoy of Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Otu.

The incident occurred along Murtala Mohammed Highway in Calabar on the evening of Saturday, April 11, 2026.

Eyewitnesses said the NSCDC officer was knocked down by the last vehicle in the convoy and died on the spot. While the state command of the corps confirmed his death, it did not state the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Widow laments

Lamenting her husband’s death, the mother of four insisted he was struck by a vehicle in the governor’s convoy near the state secretariat along Murtala Mohammed Highway.

She said her husband had stepped out briefly from duty and was walking along the roadside when the incident occurred.

According to her, she was not present at the scene but relied on eyewitness accounts relayed to her son.

“He was not crossing the road. He was walking by the roadside when a vehicle, trying to dodge a bus, hit him.

“Eyewitnesses said the driver fled immediately after hitting my husband. The vehicle was said to be the last in the convoy.

“They also said the vehicle returned, the driver checked him, saw he was still breathing, and drove off again without offering help,” she said.

Mrs Ashibi added that her husband was left on the ground struggling for life as bystanders attempted to seek help.

She further alleged that neither the government nor her husband’s office had visited the family since the incident.

“All I hear is that the government is trying to deny responsibility for my husband’s death. I do not know how I will cope. My husband was everything to this family and had been trying to set up a business for me. I currently have no means of livelihood.

“My first son is 19 and has just gained admission to study Civil Engineering, while my last child is six years old,” she said.

Son reacts

The deceased’s first son, Shedrack, said his father might have survived if help had come promptly.

“He was still breathing. If he had been taken to the hospital immediately, he might have survived. My father was a strong man,” he said.

He described his late father, who worked under the state Commissioner for Industry, as a devoted husband and father who had been making plans to improve the family’s welfare.

Shedrack said he was contacted through his father’s mobile phone after the incident but could not get to the scene immediately due to the distance from their residence.

He said the loss had left the family in emotional and financial distress.

“I did not know my father would leave us this early. He was the one supporting the family,” he added.

He appealed to authorities to show compassion and support the family.

“Let them come and sympathise with my mother,” he said.

Government reacts

The Cross River State Government described the incident as unfortunate and expressed sympathy to the bereaved family.

The Commissioner for Information, Dr Erasmus Ekpang, said an investigation would be conducted to determine what transpired.

He said, “The security team with the governor’s convoy acknowledged that an incident occurred involving one of the vehicles, but investigations are ongoing to establish the facts.

“We will draw the attention of the governor to the matter and ensure the family is not neglected. It is a very unfortunate situation.

“I also advise road users to give way to moving convoys to avoid such incidents.”

NSCDC confirms death

The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps confirmed the death of the officer, stating that he was hit by a vehicle.

A senior officer of the corps, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said investigations were ongoing to determine responsibility.