A manhunt has been allegedly initiated by Cross River police for a pastor who was accused of k!lling his 16-year-old daughter with Down Syndrome.

 

According to reports, the Cross River State Police Command is on the hunt for a pastor named Apostle Ubong Bassey following the death of his 16-year-old daughter Deborah, who has been accused of witchcraft.

 

On February 20th, Deborah, who has Down Syndrome, was allegedly accused of being a witch and a snake by her father, as reported by Agba Jalingo, a journalist.

 

The incident, which took place on Saturday 15 February 2025 at about 4pm at No. 7 Jacob Street off Eyo Edem, Calabar South Local Government Area of the state, left neighbours in shock.

 

The police received a narration from Master Bassey, the brother of the deceased. According to him, he went to open the door where his sister was locked up at about 4pm to help her dispose of her waste. His father insisted that she disposed of it herself.

 

As she made her way back to the room, she slipped and fell on the floor. Bassey contacted their father, Apostle Ubong, who when he arrived asked him to leave so that he could care for her.

 

After a long period of time, their father called them into the room and told them that their elder sister had passed away, leaving the children in shock.

 

According to Apostle Ubong's estranged wife, who was locked in custody with the suspect, over their three children, this was not the first act of violence.

“We (mother and children including the deceased) have suffered severe physical abuses leading to my running away,” she narrated even as she never gave up the struggle to liberate her kids.

 

She asked Nigerians with good intentions to ensure that her daughter receives justice.

“We thank Women Arise, UNICAL, Project Alert, Etinosa Yvonne, Gary Foxcroft, Basic Rights Counsel Initiative, Safe Child Africa and James Ibor for their support to help our family stay safe while the Police carry on their investigations," she said.