Tragedy struck on Tuesday night in Calabar, the Cross River State capital, as a police inspector, Stephen Enang, slumped and died after watching Arsenal defeat Spanish giants Real Madrid at the Emirates Stadium.
Enang, a passionate Arsenal fan hailed from Ekori in Yakurr Local Government Area of the state, was before his death attached to the Akim Police Division, along IBB Way, Calabar.
Speaking to reporters, a close friend, who witnessed the tragic incident, recounted the shocking moment the police officer passed on.
“We were watching the match at a viewing centre on Abang-Asang Street. He was in great spirits, healthy, happy, and cheering every goal.
“Arsenal scored the first, second, and third goals, and he was overjoyed.
“He jumped up in excitement multiple times. But after the final whistle, when everyone started leaving, we noticed Stephen wasn’t getting up like the rest of us.
“That’s when we realized something was wrong,” the friend said. He disclosed that Enang had slumped on his seat and was unresponsive.
“Immediately, we rushed him to the Police Hospital in Akim, where medical personnel made frantic efforts to revive him, but he was pronounced dead.
“He was soft-spoken, football-loving, and an ardent Arsenal supporter. This came as a huge shock to all of us,” the friend added.
