Justice for Deborah! 21 Feb 2025

Police in Nigeria are on the trail of Apostle Ubong Bassey Etim for the murder of his 16-year-old daughter, a child with Down Syndrome. The suspect had earlier alleged that the deceased was a witch and a snake.

The incident, which took place on Saturday 15 February, 2025 at about 4pm at No. 7 Jacob Street off Eyo Edem, Calabar South Local Government Area, Cross River State, left neighbours in shock.

Her brother, Master Bassey described to the police how his sister died, saying that at around 4pm he went to open the door to the room where his sister was locked up, in order to assist her dispose her faeces. But his father insisted she dispose it herself. She did and, on her way back to the room, slipped and fell on the floor. Master Bassey called on their father, Apostle Ubong who, on entering the room, asked him to leave while he attended to her. The children were shocked when, after a long while, their father called them into the room and announced to them that their elder sister had died.

According to Apostle Ubong's estranged wife who had been locked in a custody battle with the suspect over their 3 children, this was not the his first act of violence. "We (mother and children including the deceased) have suffered severe physical abuses leading to my running away. We thank Women Arise, UNICAL, Project Alert, Etinosa Yvonne, Gary Foxcroft, Basic Rights Counsel Initiative, Safe Child Africa and James Ibor for their support to help our family stay safe while the Police carry on their investigations." 

Apostle Ubong’s estranged wife never gave up the struggle to liberate her children. She calls on well meaning Nigerians to ensure her daughter gets justice.

Safe Child Africa asks for your support to spread the word about this important search for the suspect. We will do all we can to ensure that justice will be done for Deborah.

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