Police Nab 29-Year-Old Man for Beating Six-Year-Old Stepdaughter to Death in Cross River

Tragedy has struck the Bakassi Local Government Area of Cross River State following the arrest of a 29-year-old man, Saviour Otu Adim, for allegedly beating his six-year-old stepdaughter to death over accusations of witchcraft.

The victim, identified as little Goodness Ekpo Okon, lost her life after her stepfather reportedly turned violent, inflicting severe physical injuries on her under the claim that she was possessed by occult forces.

Confirming the arrest, the Police Public Relations Officer for the Cross River State Command, ASP Sunday Eitokpah, stated that law enforcement officers swiftly moved in to apprehend the suspect after a formal complaint was lodged by Mrs. Itoro Udofia.

According to police authorities, preliminary investigations showed that the suspect launched a brutal assault on the young girl shortly after accusing her of practicing witchcraft. The severe trauma sustained during the beating proved fatal before the child could receive life-saving medical help.

The body of the deceased child has since been deposited at a local mortuary for a post-mortem examination, while the case has been officially transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Calabar for thorough forensic inquiry and prosecution.

The horrific incident has triggered widespread anger and sorrow among residents and child welfare organizations, renewing calls for strict enforcement of child protection laws and widespread grassroots sensitization to eradicate harmful superstitions and violence against vulnerable children.