A 56-year-old shoemaker, identified as Anthony Anthony, has reportedly died by suicide at the Obudu Main Market Square in Obudu Local Government Area of Cross River State.
The incident reportedly occurred in the early hours of Sunday, August 23, 2026, leaving residents and traders shocked.
An eyewitness said Anthony, who hailed from Bekwarra Local Government Area of the state, was a shoemaker and had been known within the community.
According to the eyewitness, the circumstances surrounding his death have raised concerns among residents, while the market has reportedly remained closed following the incident.
The community is also said to have demanded N300,000 from the deceased’s family for traditional cleansing rituals, reportedly because the circumstances surrounding the death were considered a taboo.
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Confirming the incident, the Cross River State Police Public Relations Officer, Sunday Eitokpah, said police operatives had visited the scene, documented the area and evacuated the body to a mortuary.
Eitokpah said the circumstances surrounding the death had not yet been established, adding that the command had ordered an investigation to determine what happened and rule out any possibility of foul play.
The police spokesman urged members of the public to provide credible and timely information to assist the investigation, assuring that further updates would be released as the inquiry progresses.
Police have therefore commenced investigations into the incident, while the community awaits further clarification on the circumstances surrounding the man’s death.
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