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 found injured in his room in Edor community, Ikom Local Government Area of the state.

The incident was reported at 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 under the pretext of helping him get home safely, but the boy subsequently went missing.

The police said that when the father contacted the suspect, he allegedly claimed to have dropped the child in front of his father’s residence.

However, the following day, Eyo and some community members reportedly visited the suspect’s residence, where the boy was found in the suspect’s room with an injury to his head.

The police said the circumstances surrounding the injury were still being investigated.

The suspect was arrested and initially taken to the Edor Police Outpost before being transferred to the Ikom Police Division for further investigation. He is currently being detained pending the outcome of the investigation.

The command added that the child’s welfare and medical needs were being addressed in consultation with his parent or guardian.

The Commissioner of Police, Ajo Geoffrey Ordue, reiterated the command’s commitment to protecting children and other vulnerable persons, urging parents and guardians to remain vigilant and promptly report missing children or suspicious activities to the nearest police station.

The command also cautioned members of the public against speculation, vigilantism and actions capable of interfering with the investigation.

It stressed that the suspect remained presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.