After the horrible murder of an 18 -year -old boy, suspected of being a victim of a ritual murder, along the swampy section of the Calabar River, behind the authority of the Cross River basin in Ikot Effanga, the municipality of Calabar, fear and panic have taken advantage of the hearts of Calabar residents.
The deceased, identified as Daniel Ekanem, who is said to be originally from Ikot Offer in Odukpani LGA and resident of the Lemna community in the municipality of Calabar, was last seen on August 14, 2025.
However, his decomposition body was discovered five days later, on August 19, during a frantic search mounted by his family.
When the remains were found, their head had been separated from the body, which increased strong suspicions of ritual murder.
The family members told the journalists that Daniel had gone to reap vegetables in the swamp before disappearing.
His headless body, later found in the same area, has not only devastated the community, but also caused renewed fears of ritual murders in Calabar.
Since then, commercial and agricultural activities in the swamps have been based on fears, since farmers and residents fear for their own safety.
The police commissioner, CP Rashid AFEGBUA, confirmed the murder, describing the murder as tragic. He was sympathized with the victim’s family, ensuring that the investigations were ongoing.
He promised that “justice will be served.”
He revealed that the tactical units of the command, including the dragons squad and the ikot omin division, have been deployed to search for credible potential clients.
Meanwhile, the leaders of Ikot Effanga and the neighboring communities of Ikot Jnebong, where the body was discovered, have promised full cooperation with security agents to unravel those who fear that many fear that they may be the last case of ritual murder in the state.