Man arrested for allegedly killing stepdaughter over witchcraft claims

The police in Cross River State have arrested a 29-year-old man for allegedly beating his six-year-old stepdaughter to death. He reportedly accused the child of witchcraft.

In a statement on Friday, the police spokesperson, Eitokpah Sunday, said the suspect, Saviour Adim, attacked the child, Goodness Okon, after making the accusation.

The child’s mother, Itoro Udofia, reported the incident to the police around 8:30 a.m. on Friday. According to Assistant Superintendent of Police Eitokpah, the suspect is now in police custody.

The remains of the child have been taken to a mortuary for autopsy. The case has also been moved to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Calabar for further investigation.

Police call for child protection

The police have urged the public to protect children and report any suspected abuse quickly. They also warned against sharing unverified information or taking the law into their own hands.

The police did not share details on how the alleged assault happened. They have not said if the suspect has spoken to investigators.

Recent witchcraft-related violence

This incident is not isolated. There have been other cases of violence linked to witchcraft accusations in Cross River.

In June, PREMIUM TIMES reported the brutal assault of Grace Ekoi. She was accused of witchcraft during a Christian crusade in Onyadama, Obubra Local Government Area. Videos showed a crowd beating her with sticks after she was labeled a witch. The police said they were investigating, but PREMIUM TIMES later reported that no arrests had been made.

A human rights advocate, James Ibor, commented that attacks related to witchcraft in the state reflect deeper issues like poverty, weak institutions, and what he calls religious profiteering.

Earlier in August, there was another case in Akamkpa Local Government Area. Emmanuel Akposi was accused of setting his mother, Atim Akposi, on fire after claiming she was responsible for his child's death. The woman died in the hospital, and the suspect is now wanted, according to Leadership Newspaper.

This latest arrest raises concerns about the violence faced by people accused of witchcraft in the state, especially vulnerable family members and children.