Calabar, Nigeria – The Cross River State Police Command is on the trail of Apostle Ubong Bassey Etim for the alleged murder of his 16-year-old daughter, a child with Down Syndrome, in Calabar South Local Government Area.
Converseer learned that the tragic incident occurred on Saturday, 15 February 2025, at about 4 p.m. at No. 7 Jacob Street off Eyo Edem, leaving neighbours in shock.
Reports indicate that Apostle Ubong had previously accused the deceased of being a witch and a snake.
According to an account provided by the deceased’s younger brother, Master Bassey, the girl allegedly by the hands of their father after slipping and falling on the floor while returning from disposing of her faeces. He explained that he had gone to help his sister with the task, but their father insisted she do it herself. When she fell, he called their father for assistance.
Master Bassey recounted that Apostle Ubong entered the room and ordered him to leave while he attended to his daughter. After a prolonged period, the father called the children back into the room and announced that their sister had passed away.
The suspect’s estranged wife, who has been engaged in a custody battle with him over their three children, claimed this was not the first incident of violence in the household.
“We (mother and children, including the deceased) have suffered severe physical abuse, which led to my running away,” she alleged. She further urged well-meaning Nigerians to ensure her daughter gets justice, highlighting the long history of abuse suffered at the hands of Apostle Ubong.
In response to the case, advocacy groups and rights organisations have stepped in to support the family.
“We thank Women Arise, UNICAL, Project Alert, Etinosa Yvonne, Gary Foxcroft, Basic Rights Counsel Initiative, Safe Child Africa, and James Ibor for their support in helping our family stay safe while the police carry on their investigations,” the grieving mother stated.
Principal Counsel of BRCI, James Ibor Esq., has called for stiffer punishment for parents and those who brand children as being witches and wizards.
This is a developing story, and more details will follow shortly…
