Police operatives in Calabar have taken into custody a 24-year-old man, Mr Joseph Emmanuel of No. 3 Esit Ebom Street, over the alleged killing of his 10-year-old daughter.
The incident reportedly occurred on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, after the child allegedly misplaced her father’s plastic petrol pipe, which he uses to transfer fuel into his commercial motorcycle. The development reportedly provoked the suspect, leading to the child’s death.
Eyewitnesses said angry residents attempted to attack the suspect following the incident.
He was allegedly on the verge of being lynched before a resident, Okon Edwin of No. 5 Ekeng Ewa Street, Calabar South, alerted the police.
Upon receiving the distress call, police operatives were deployed to the scene and successfully rescued the suspect from mob action.
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The Police Public Relations Officer, Sunday Akata, confirmed that the suspect sustained injuries during the attempted assault and was subsequently taken into custody.
He added that the suspect has confessed to the act, claiming it was carried out in a moment of provocation.
The suspect was taken to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital for medical treatment, while the deceased child’s body was examined and deposited at the hospital’s mortuary for preservation and autopsy.
Akata said investigations into the incident are ongoing, noting that the suspect is likely to be charged to court upon the conclusion of the probe.