Inspector Stephen Enang of the Nigerian Police Force tragically passed away on Tuesday night while watching the UEFA Champions League clash between Arsenal and Real Madrid at a viewing centre in Calabar.
Enang, a dedicated Arsenal fan, was attached to the Akim Police Division along IBB Way, Calabar, until his sudden death.
He was a familiar face at the football viewing centre on Abang-Asang Street in the Calabar Municipality Local Government Area, where the incident occurred.
Witnesses say the late officer showed no signs of illness before the match began.
In fact, he joined other fans in celebrating enthusiastically as Arsenal scored their first three goals.
A close friend, who asked not to be named, described Enang as quiet, soft-spoken, and passionate about football.
“He was fine before the game. We were all excited, especially when Arsenal scored.
He jumped up celebrating each goal. But after the final whistle, we noticed he didn’t move.
That’s when we realized something was wrong,” the friend said.
Enang was found unresponsive in his seat and was quickly rushed to the Police Hospital in Akim.
Despite efforts by medical staff to revive him, he was pronounced dead.
Attempts to reach the spokesperson of the Cross River State Police Command, SP Irene Ugbo, were unsuccessful, as calls and messages went unanswered at the time of this report.