C’river: ‘ Spirit’ promised me N100,000 in return, says woman who beheaded 12- month old son

Iwas a tragic moment yesterday, when a mother of two beheaded her 12month- old son in Yonen community located in Ugep Local Council of Cross River State.

The woman, identified as Mrs. Blessing Eno is currently cooling off in police custody.

A source from the community, simply identified as Opwei told The Guardian that the woman claimed to have carried out the evil act on the instruction of a ‘ Spirit’ with a promise to give her N100,000 in return.

She also claimed that the baby was disturbing her, so she decided to cut off the head with a machete. The Guardian gathered that her 8- year - old son who stumbled on the gory sight of his headless brother and blood- drenched mother raised the alarm that attracted neighbours to the scene of the crime .

Meanwhile, the Obol Lopon of Ugep and Paramount Ruler of Yakurr Local Council, Obol Ofem Ubana Eteng, has described the incident as shocking and tragic for the community.

He called for calm, assuring the people that the police will handle the matter professionally to a logical conclusion.

“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 toe 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,” he said.

The spokesperson for the state’s Police Command, Superintendent of Police ( SP), Irene Ugbo, has confirmed the incident.

She said: “I learnt about the matter on Tuesday. You know it’s a homicide case, it will be transferred from Ugep to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department ( SCIID), Homicide department for further investigation.

“It is quite unfortunate and devastating, she is in protective custody, but the matter will surely be brought to Calabar.” Reacting to the incident, Chairman of Cross River State Child Protection Network, Mr. Kebe Ikpi, said it is shocking and sad that a child that was less than a year old was gruesomely murdered in cold blood by his own mother.

“This is shocking and sad, but what we know for now is that the woman claimed that someone appeared to her and told her to cut off the baby’s head. According to the woman the ‘ person’ promised to give her N100,000.

“The Police have stepped in to investigate the matter. We will provide more information as we become aware,” he said.