Headless body of teenager sparks fears of ritual killings in Calabar community

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Fear and dread have gripped Calabar locals in the wake of the horrific death of an 18-year-old boy who was thought to have been the victim of a ritual killing in the marshy section of the Calabar River, behind the Cross River Basin Authority at Ikot Effanga, Calabar Municipality.

According to reports, the deceased, Daniel Ekanem, who lived in the Lemna village of Calabar Municipality and was a native of Ikot Offiong in Odukpani LGA, was last seen on August 14, 2025.

But five days later, on August 19, his family conducted a desperate search and found his decaying remains.

His head had been cut from the body when the remains were discovered, which strongly suggested ritual murder.

Before going missing, Daniel had gone to the marsh to collect veggies, according to family members who spoke to reporters.

In addition to destroying the community, his decapitated body, which was later discovered in the same location, has reignited worries about ritual killings in Calabar.

Since then, farmers and locals have suspended commercial and agricultural operations in the marshes out of concern for their personal safety.

CP Rashid Afegbua, the Commissioner of Police, has verified the murder and called it a terrible killing. He assured the victim’s family that investigations were still being conducted and expressed his condolences.

“Justice will be served,” he pledged.

He revealed that the Command’s tactical forces, such as the Ikot Omin Division and Dragon Squad, have been sent out to follow up on reliable leads.

Leaders of the communities of Ikot Effanga and nearby Ikot Enebong, where the body was found, have promised to work closely with security personnel to identify the perpetrators of what many now believe to be the state’s most recent ritual killing case.

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