By Peter Onyekachukwu 
By Peter Onyekachukwu
The mother of 22-year-old Moses Mba, who allegedly died after being shot by security operatives guarding Governor Bassey Otu’s residence in Calabar, has rejected a N5 million offer said to have been brought to her family.
Mrs. Victoria Mba, the grieving mother, insisted that no amount of money could compensate for her son’s life. She accused security operatives of trying to silence her and cover up the killing.
“They brought N5 million. We rejected it. Is the value of my son’s life N5m? They said it was a condolence visit, but I don’t know where condolence is done with money in that way. I want justice, not money,” she said.
Moses, her first son, was shot on August 1 after he attempted to see the governor, claiming he had a message from God. According to his mother, he was beaten at the gate by policemen, shot in the leg, and later died at the Naval Reference Hospital after eight days.
She further alleged that plainclothes officers were stationed at his hospital ward until his death and confirmed the family has requested an autopsy.
“My son was my first child, my pride, the one his siblings looked up to. They have taken him away and tried to cover it up. I will not be silenced,” she added, calling for the arrest of the officers involved.
But the Cross River State Government has denied the claims. Commissioner for Information, Erasmus Ekpang, said the incident did not happen at the governor’s official residence but at his former house. He also alleged that Moses had mental health challenges and was shot after throwing stones at a police officer.
The tragic case has sparked outrage, with the family vowing to pursue justice over what they describe as the unlawful killing of their son.