Police arrest 29-year-old over alleged abduction of 11-year-old boy in Cross River

The Cross River State Police Command has arrested a 29-year-old man, Abashi John, over the alleged abduction of an 11-year-old boy who was later discovered injured in his room in Edor neighborhood, Ikom Local Government Area of the state.

The incident was reported on the Edor Police Outpost at about 10 p.m. on October 5, 2026, by the boy’s father, 57-year-old Raphael Eyo.

According to the police, Eyo alleged that the suspect had taken his son underneath the pretext of serving to him get residence safely, however the boy subsequently went lacking.

The police stated that when the daddy contacted the suspect, he allegedly claimed to have dropped the kid in entrance of his father’s residence.

However, the next day, Eyo and a few neighborhood members reportedly visited the suspect’s residence, the place the boy was discovered in the suspect’s room with an harm to his head.

The police stated the circumstances surrounding the harm had been nonetheless being investigated.

The suspect was arrested and initially taken to the Edor Police Outpost earlier than being transferred to the Ikom Police Division for additional investigation. He is at the moment being detained pending the result of the investigation.

The command added that the kid’s welfare and medical wants had been being addressed in session along with his mother or father or guardian.

The Commissioner of Police, Ajo Geoffrey Ordue, reiterated the command’s dedication to defending youngsters and different susceptible individuals, urging dad and mom and guardians to stay vigilant and promptly report lacking youngsters or suspicious actions to the closest police station.

The command additionally cautioned members of the general public towards hypothesis, vigilantism and actions succesful of interfering with the investigation.

It confused that the suspect remained presumed harmless until and till confirmed responsible by a court docket of competent jurisdiction.