A heartbroken mother, Mrs. Victoria Mba, has publicly accused police officers in Calabar of fatally shooting her 22-year-old son, Moses Onyekachi Mba, after he attempted to deliver a religious message directly to the Cross River State governor. The incident has left the family in deep grief and sparked calls for accountability and justice from human rights groups and the local community.
Mrs. Mba, a businesswoman originally from Abia State, recounted that her son approached the State House on August 1, 2025, intending to preach a divine message he claimed to have received in a vision. She alleged that despite his peaceful intentions, Moses was repeatedly denied entry by policemen stationed at the government premises, who treated him as a threat rather than listening to his message.
“He explained that God had given him a vision and directed him to deliver His words. But instead of hearing him out, the security operatives beat him and shot him,” Mrs. Mba tearfully stated during an interview. She said that after being shot, Moses was left lying in a pool of blood for hours, with Red Cross personnel eventually taking him to the Navy Hospital for emergency medical attention.
At the hospital, Mrs. Mba alleged that doctors demanded over ₦400,000 for surgical intervention. Despite undergoing surgery and receiving multiple blood transfusions, Moses fell into a coma and tragically passed away on August 9, 2025, eight days after the attack. The mother emphasized that her son was mentally stable and a devoted Christian who had a deep passion for evangelism, countering claims by some authorities that he was mentally unwell.
Mrs. Mba shared that Moses was academically accomplished, scoring 196 in JAMB and preparing for post-UTME at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. She said, “They said my son was mad. This was a boy who wanted to study Business Administration. He never drank or smoked. All he wanted was to serve God.” She stressed that he had always been a loving, peaceful, and generous child, devoted to his faith and family.
Further, Mrs. Mba alleged attempts by government officials to pressure the family into cooperating with the police investigation and to appear for questioning under duress. When the family refused, threats were reportedly made, prompting them to escalate the matter to the AIG Zone 6 in Calabar. She demanded transparency, accountability, and justice, insisting that the authorities should acknowledge the wrongful killing of her son and allow the family to bury him in peace.
“They killed my son and never showed any sympathy. Instead, they want to label him insane and sweep the truth under the rug. I just want justice and the dignity to bury my child properly,” she stated. The family also reported delays in conducting an autopsy, which the police insisted must be completed before burial, leaving them in anguish nearly a month after Moses’ death.
Moses was the eldest of four siblings and known for his devout faith, gentle demeanor, and charitable nature. “He was a loving and peaceful boy who gave without thinking of himself. Everybody in our compound feels his absence,” Mrs. Mba said, highlighting the deep loss felt by the family and community.
Despite repeated petitions, appeals, and public outcry, Mrs. Mba says that neither the Cross River State Government nor the police have contacted the family to offer condolences or provide clarity on the case. She continues to demand that the authorities conduct a thorough, transparent investigation into her son’s death, hold the responsible officers accountable, and ensure that justice is served.
The tragic case has drawn widespread attention from human rights activists, faith-based organizations, and members of the public, all calling for immediate action and highlighting the need for reform in police handling of civilians attempting to engage peacefully with public officials. The family remains steadfast in their pursuit of justice, hoping their plea will prevent similar incidents in the future.