A moment of football euphoria turned into sudden tragedy on Tuesday evening in Calabar, as Police Inspector Stephen Enang reportedly slumped and died shortly after watching Arsenal triumph 3-0 over Spanish giants Real Madrid.
Inspector Enang, who hailed from Ekori in Yakurr Local Government Area of Cross River State, was attached to the Akim Police Division along IBB Way in Calabar. Known for his calm demeanor and deep love for football, Enang was an ardent Arsenal supporter.
According to multiple eyewitnesses, the late officer was in high spirits during the match, which was watched at a viewing centre on Abang-Asang Street.
A close friend who witnessed the incident described the heartbreaking moment, “We were watching the match at a viewing centre on Abang-Asang Street. He was in great spirits—healthy, happy, cheering every goal. Arsenal scored the first, second, and third goals, and he was overjoyed,” the witness told Vanguard.
“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 jubilant atmosphere quickly turned into panic as Enang was found slumped in his seat, unresponsive.
He was immediately rushed to the Police Hospital in Akim, where medical personnel made desperate efforts to revive him, but he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
“He was soft-spoken, football-loving, and an ardent Arsenal supporter. This came as a huge shock to all of us,” the friend added.
