Tension in Calabar as men walk with alligator pepper, bitter kola over manhood disappearance

Concerns, concern, and tangible terror have seized citizens of Calabar, the capital of Cross River State, in the wake of numerous accusations of the loss of male private organs.

What began as rumor in remote regions has steadily seeped into many households in the city over the last two weeks, since no one can claim not to have known someone whose private organ was collected following a simple handshake or physical contact with strangers.

Many people are wondering who is responsible for the loss of male genitals, for what reason, and what will happen to those who claim their private organs have vanished. Are these reports accurate, or are the folks just stirring up trouble in the city?

The Cross River State Government issued a statement signed by its Commissioner for Information, Erasmus Ekpang, denying such assertions. Ms Irene Ugbo, Public Relations Officer for the Cross River State Police Command, echoed the state government’s position, saying such reports were the product of mischief makers and urging members of the public to go about their business without worry.

Residents were hesitant to believe the police and the state government since every few hours, there was a commotion in one part of town or another over the loss of a male private organ.

Over fifteen cases were alleged to have occurred in nearly every part of town, with some organs being restored to victims by the offenders and others not being restored.

Chibuike, a spare parts merchant, told Saturday Vanguard that “an organ was said to be sold for 600,000 naira last week, but due to market forces and high demand, the price has gone up to one million per organ.”

“The organs are used for ritual purposes to make money,” he says, adding anyone whose genital is stolen will die a few days later. More people will be killed if the government do not take drastic measures to stop the city’s deteriorating situation.

“Men now carry bitter kola and alligator pepper in their pockets or tightly grip their private organs while walking down the street or inside commercial vehicles.” Because of the strong demand, the price of bitter kola has also risen.”

Organ disappearances were reported in Atimbo, Nyahasang, Moore Road, Satellite Town, Ekpo Abasi, 8 Miles, Watt Market, Atakpa/Mayne Avenue, and other areas throughout the city.

Blessing Ngi, a Calabar South resident, stated, “it happened in my area, State Avenue by Afokang this morning.” Someone stole his penis, and it needed a violent beating to get the organ back.”

Mob violence

A major episode of the tragedy occurred on the outskirts of the city, along the Goodluck Jonathan bypass.

The prompt arrival of the police rescued the situation at the scene where an angry mob had assembled to lynch two young guys after one man claimed his penis and testicles had vanished after a handshake with the duo.

According to witnesses, when the man noticed his penis was vanished, he quickly raised an alert and removed his trousers, and what he saw shocked him. “What he saw was smaller than a grain of rice, and there were no testicles,” one of the witnesses, Jeremiah, stated.

A similar incident occurred in the Nyanghasang village in Calabar Municipal, resulting in a police raid and a retaliatory attack by the community. Kandy Umoh, a performer, was among those arrested, and a police van was destroyed.

Whether it was bogus rumor or true, most male inhabitants are now carrying bitter kola and alligator pepper in their pockets as protection against any attempt to steal their genitals.

However, several people claimed that this safeguard did not operate.

According to a local, “my friend whose organ disappeared filled his pocket with bitter kola and alligator pepper.”

Vanguard