Man arrested over alleged murder of stepdaughter accused of witchcraft

Authorities in Cross River State have arrested a 29-year-old man, identified as Saviour Adim, on suspicion of murdering his six-year-old stepdaughter, Goodness Okon. The arrest follows allegations that Adim beat the child to death after accusing her of practicing witchcraft.

The incident was reported to the state police command by the child's mother, Itoro Udofia. The suspect is currently in police custody, and the child's body has been taken to a mortuary for an autopsy. The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Calabar for further investigation.

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The suspect is currently in police custody, while the child’s remains have been deposited at a mortuary for autopsy.

This tragic event is the latest in a disturbing series of violence linked to witchcraft accusations in Cross River State. In June, a woman named Grace Ekoi was brutally assaulted during a crusade after being accused of witchcraft. Although police initiated an investigation, no arrests were reported weeks later. Human rights advocates have pointed to poverty, weak institutions, and religious exploitation as drivers of such attacks.

Earlier in August, another incident involved Emmanuel Akposi, who allegedly set his mother ablaze after accusing her of causing his child's death through witchcraft. The mother later died from her injuries, and Akposi was declared wanted. These recurring incidents underscore growing concerns about violence directed at individuals, particularly children and vulnerable family members, based on unfounded witchcraft accusations.

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Police urge members of the public to protect children and promptly report suspected cases of abuse. It also cautioned against spreading unverified information or taking the law into their own hands.