The Cross River State Commissioner of Police, Rashid Afegbua, has confirmed the murder of a 18-year-old boy, suspected to be the victim of ritual killing in Calabar.
The deceased, identified as Daniel Ekanem, is said to be a native of Ikot Offiong in Odukpani Local Government Area and resident of Lemna community in Calabar Municipality.
He was reportedly last seen on August 14, 2025, and the alleged ritual killing was along the swampy stretch of the Calabar River, behind the Cross River Basin Authority at Ikot Effanga.
His decomposing body was, however, discovered during a frantic search mounted by his family and when the remains were found, his head had been severed from the body.
Family members told journalists that Ekanem, had gone to harvest vegetables in the swamp before he went missing and his headless corpse, was later found in the same area.
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Commercial and farming activities in the swamps have since been grounded as a result of the fears, as farmers and residents fear for their own safety.
The commissioner of police while confirming the incident, has described the killing as tragic.
He has also commiserated with the victim’s family, assuring that investigations were ongoing promising that “justice will be served.”
The police boss, disclosed that tactical units of the command, including the Dragon Squad and the Ikot Omin Division, have been deployed to unravel the ugly incident.
Meanwhile, leaders of Ikot Effanga and neighboring Ikot Enebong communities, where the corpse was discovered, have pledged full cooperation with security operatives to unravel those behind the killing.
