The Cross River State Police Command has arrested a 29-year-old man, Saviour Otu Adim, over the alleged murder of his six-year-old stepdaughter, Goodness Ekpo Okon, in Bakassi Local Government Area of the state.
The command’s spokesperson, ASP Eitokpah Sunday Akata, confirmed the arrest in a statement issued on Friday, August 28, 2026.
According to the police, the incident was reported by Mrs Itoro Udofia, who alleged that Adim assaulted the child, leading to her death.
Preliminary findings by investigators indicate that the suspect had allegedly accused the deceased of being a witch before the incident.
The police said Adim remains in custody as investigators work to establish the circumstances surrounding the child’s death.
Meanwhile, the remains of Goodness Ekpo Okon have been deposited at a mortuary for an autopsy to determine the cause of death.
The case has also been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Calabar for further investigation.
The Cross River Police Command urged members of the public to remain vigilant and protect children from abuse and violence.
The command also advised residents to report suspected cases of child abuse to the appropriate authorities and warned against spreading unverified information or taking the law into their own hands.
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