Apostle Bassey Etim | File Image
By Valentine Amanze
Police in Cross River State, Nigeria, have arrested a pastor, ‘Apostle’ Ubong Bassey Etim, for alleged murder of his 16-year-old daughter, Deborah, a child with Down Syndrome, whom he labeled as witch and snake.
Human rights group, Safe Child Africa, which reported the case on February 21, 2025, also confirmed the arrest of Pastor Etim in Calabar.
Etim is accused of killing her after she slipped and fell while disposing her faeces on Saturday February 15, 2025 at about 4pm in their residence at No. 7 Jacob Street off Eyo Edem, Calabar South Local Government Area of the state.
Etim also instigated the arrest of his grieving wife, using the Zone 6 Command of the Nigerian Police in Calabar.
However, through the effort of Women Arise of the University of Calabar, Project Alert, rights activist, Gary Foxcroft, James Ibor, and other groups, she was released unconditionally.
Also read: Police hunt Pastor who killed his 16-year-old daughter
Safe Child Africa, which shared the shocking news about her murder has been working alongside the Basic Rights Counsel Initiative and other local parties to aid the search and support his estranged wife and surviving children.
Safe Child Africa has provided close support and funding to exhume the body of the young girl and carry out an autopsy.
The group also assured that it would continue to closely monitor the case to help ensure that she gets justice.
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