The Cross River State Police Command has dismissed allegations that its officers fired on student protesters from the University of Cross River State during a demonstration in Calabar, describing a viral video circulating online as misleading and not reflective of events on the ground.

In a statement issued on Monday, the Police Public Relations Officer, Eitokpah Akata, said an internal review showed no evidence that live ammunition was used at any stage of the protest.

The Command stated that accounts suggesting that protesters were shot were inaccurate and did not align with verified observations from officers deployed to the scene.

The protest by students of University of Cross River State was reportedly triggered by the death of three students in a road traffic accident on 1 May at Ikot Okon, near New Okurikang Junction in Odukpani Local Government Area.

According to the police, intelligence reports had indicated the likelihood of a demonstration, prompting the deployment of senior officers, including the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of operations, to maintain public order and prevent escalation.

The Command explained that the protest initially began peacefully, with officers engaging student leaders in dialogue and appealing for calm and orderly conduct. It later, however, became volatile in some locations along the route.

Authorities stated that some protesters allegedly damaged property at the General Hospital, including an ambulance, windows, signposts, and other facilities. The police said this development required a measured response aimed at restoring order and preventing further destruction.

The Command further noted that the procession later moved towards the Government House, where a section of the crowd attempted to gain unauthorised access to the premises, raising security concerns.

In response, officers were said to have applied controlled crowd management methods that were not lethal, including the use of smoke canisters released into the air to disperse the crowd and stabilise the situation.

The police maintained that no firearms were discharged during the entire incident and insisted that no protester was killed or struck by gunfire.

The statement added that calm was eventually restored following the intervention of government officials, including the Special Adviser on Security, as well as a meeting between student representatives and the Deputy Governor, Peter Odey.

The Command urged members of the public to disregard what it described as false and inflammatory narratives capable of heightening tension in the state.

Governor Bassey Otu had earlier expressed sorrow over the incident, describing the loss of lives that triggered the protest as deeply distressing for Cross River State and extending condolences to bereaved families and the university community.