By John Ugo
The Cross River State Police Command has confirmed that the woman who slaughtered her 11 months old child in Yonen community, Ugep, Yakurr Local Government Area of Cross River is in their custody.
The Spokesperson of the command, SP Irene Ugbo who confirmed the arrest, also gave the woman’s name as Mrs Blessing Eno.
Ugbo said that the incident occurred on Tuesday and the police immediately stepped in to prevent mob action against the woman.
She noted that it was a homicide case and the matter will be transferred to state Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Homicide department for investigation.
According to him, “I learned about the matter onTuesday , you know it’s a homicide case, it will be transferred from Ugep to state CID, Homicide department for further investigation.
“It is quite unfortunate and devastating, already she is in protective custody, but the matter will surely be brought to Calabar,” Ugbo said.
The tragic incident has left many in the community bewildered as the circumstances leading to the dastardly act have remained strange.
It was learnt that the mother of two who may be suffering from mental disorder took out a matchet and cut off the head of the baby.
She was said to have claimed that the child was disturbing her and a spirit instructed her to slaughter the boy.
An eyewitness account disclosed that it was her eight year old son who stumbled on the gory sight of his headless brother and a blood drenched mother who raised the alarm that attracted neighbours to the scene of the crime.
However, the timely intervention of the police, who immidiately took the lady into protective custody, before ferrying her out of Ugep averted an angry mob action.
Meanwhile, the Obol Lopon of Ugep and Paramount Ruler of Yakurr, Obol Ofem Ubana Eteng, has expressed shock over the incident while calling for calm.
The traditional head assured the people that he was certain that the police will handle the matter professionally to a logical conclusion.
According to him, “I had to immediately convene a meeting with my subjects because even though what happened has desecrated the land, I had to ensure that further bloodshed was averted.
“We appealed directly to young people in Ugep, to tow the path of peace and rational thought in the face of this heinous crime and they positively responded.
“We are in shock but we are calm and have left this matter in the hands of the police. I can assure you that there will be no reprisal action because we must remain law abiding.”
