Police, in Cross River State, have launched a manhunt for Apostle Ubong Bassey Etim for the alleged murder of his 16-year-old daughter on the allegation that she was witch.
The incident, which took place on Saturday, 15 February, 2025, about 4 pm at No. 7 Jacob Street off Eyo Edem, Calabar South Local Government Area, left neighbours in shock.
Her brother, Master Bassey described to the police how his sister died, saying that at around 4 pm he went to open the door to the room where his sister was locked up, in order to assist her dispose her faeces.
But his father insisted she should dispose of it herself.
She did and, on her way back to the room, slipped and fell on the floor.
Master Bassey called on their father, Apostle Ubong, who, on entering the room, asked him to leave while he attended to her. The children were shocked when, after a long while, their father called them into the room and announced to them that their elder sister had died.
According to Apostle Ubong’s estranged wife, who had been locked in a custody battle with the suspect over their three children, this was not his first act of violence.
The suspect had earlier alleged that the child with Down Syndrome was a witch and a snake.
“We (mother and children, including the deceased) have suffered severe physical abuses leading to my running away. We thank Women Arise, UNICAL, Project Alert, Etinosa Yvonne, Gary Foxcroft, Basic Rights Counsel Initiative, Safe Child Africa and James Ibor for their support to help our family stay safe while the police carry on their investigations.”
Apostle Ubong’s estranged wife said she never gave up the struggle to liberate her children.
She called on well-meaning Nigerians to ensure her daughter gets justice.
Meanwhile , the search for the suspect is currently ongoing.
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