An Inspector of Police in Nigeria and a diehard fan of Arsenal football club, Stephen Enang, slumped and died shortly after watching Arsenal defeat Spanish giants, Real Madrid 3-0 on Tuesday, April 8. 

Eyewitnesses say the deceased who is a native of Ekori in Yakurr Local Government Area of Cross River State and attached to the Akim Police Division along IBB Way, Calabar, was watching the match when he suddenly slumped.

“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.

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.” an eyewitness said.

According to the eyewitness, Enang had slumped in his seat and was unresponsive. He was immediately rushed to the Police Hospital in Akim, where medical personnel made frantic efforts to revive him, but he was pronounced dead.

His friends and family members have expressed shock over the sudden demise of the deceased officer.

The Public Relations Officer of the Cross River State Police Command, Irene Ugbo, confirmed Enang’s death in a telephone interview with a correspondent from The PUNCH on Wednesday, April 9, 2025.

Ugbo narrated that Inspector Enang, a devoted Arsenal supporter, was attached to the Akim Police Division along IBB Way in Calabar until his passing.

She said, “Actually, he went to watch a football match at 9:00 hours. In the process, the team he supported scored, and he jumped up in happiness to celebrate. According to eyewitnesses, after he jumped and fell, they did not know what happened. By the time they noticed it and rushed him to the Police clinic, he was confirmed dead.

It is a very sad one. We are encouraging our men to do check-ups all the time. This body is not firewood. No matter how you want to show how you are gallant, just check up on yourself all the time. It is such a sad incident.”

Inspector Enang was said to be a regular caller at the football viewing centre located at Abang-Asang Street, Calabar Municipality Local Government Area of Cross River, where the tragedy struck.

He was also said not to have displayed any sign of illness before the game, and even joined in the excitement when the first, second, and third goals of Arsenal were scored.