Man cuts son’s hand over cult membership

Aman, Sunday Brown, a resident of Nyomidibi community near Nyangasang town in Calabar Municipality of Cross River State, allegedly cut off the wrist of his son, 20-year-old Mathew, over a reported involvement in cultism, Daily Trust Saturday gathered yesterday.

A source close to the family said the feud between the man and his son is threatening peace in the community as fellow suspected cultists in solidarity with their colleague, have threatened reprisal.

As a result, the father has fled the community even as the remains of his wife is still in a mortuary many months after her death.

The source said Mathew’s alleged involvement in cult activities led to the father’s action in self defence when he attacked the man during a quarrel.

A youth leader in the community, Etubom Clement S. Akpan, told our correspondent that Mathew had usually been arrested by the police over his attitude, and the father had at several times reported him at their family meetings.

“Though we don’t support the boy’s activities, we frowned at the father and reported to the police. The police have asked us to treat the boy and thereafter they would ask him to sign an undertaking not to harass or attack his father,” he said.

A resident of the community, Madam Gladys Ekpenyong, said the activities of suspected cult groups in the neighbourhood were worrisome.

She said the man had been beset with many problems after his wife died recently.

The state police spokesman, Irene Ugbo, said she was yet to be briefed on the incident.