Apostle Ubong Bassey Etim | File Image
By Valentine Amanze
Nigerian police are on the trail of a pastor, Apostle Ubong Bassey Etim, for the alleged murder of his 16-year-old daughter, Deborah, a child with Down Syndrome.
The suspect had earlier alleged that the deceased was a witch and a snake.
The incident, which took place on Saturday February 15, 2025 at about 4pm at No. 7 Jacob Street off Eyo Edem, Calabar South Local Government Area, Cross River State, left neighbours in shock.
Her brother, Master Bassey, narrated to the police how his sister, Deborah, died.
He said that at around 4pm he went to open the door to the room where his sister was locked up to assist her dispose her faeces; but his father objected.
According to him, his father insisted that she dispose it herself.
“She did and, on her way back to the room, slipped and fell on the floor.
“I called on our father, Apostle Ubong, who, on entering the room, asked me to leave while he attended to her.
“We were shocked when, after a long while, our father called us into the room and announced to us that our elder sister had died,” he narrated.
Also, Apostle Ubong’s estranged wife who had been locked in a custody battle with the suspect over their three children, corroborated he son’s statement.
Also read: Witchcraft: Human rights groups call for arrest of pastor
She wept and lamented that this was not the her husband’s first act of violence.
“We (mother and children including the deceased) have suffered severe physical abuses leading to my running away.
“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.”
Apostle Ubong’s estranged wife never gave up the struggle to liberate her children.
She called on well meaning Nigerians to ensure her daughter gets justice.
Meanwhile, Safe Child Africa has assured that justice would prevail, while appealing to people to assist in trapping the suspect.
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