Cross River Police Arrest 22-Year-Old Security Guard Over Alleged Assault of 5-Year-Old Pupil

The Cross River State Police Command has arrested a 22-year-old security guard following an allegation of sexual assault involving a five-year-old pupil of a nursery and primary school in Calabar.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Eitokpah Sunday Akata, disclosed this in a Press release issued on behalf of the Cross River State Police Command.

According to Akata, the incident was reported to the police on September 28, 2026, by the proprietress of the school.

The suspect, identified as Bright Bassey Elijah, was allegedly caught taking the five-year-old pupil to an uncompleted building within the vicinity of the school, where the alleged assault reportedly occurred.

The 22-year-old suspect is currently in police custody, while preliminary investigation is ongoing. The Command said he would subsequently be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation.

Akata said the Command was treating the matter with the seriousness it deserved, particularly given the age of the alleged victim.

He added that appropriate investigative and child-protection procedures would be followed in accordance with the law.

The Command urged parents, guardians, school authorities and members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report any suspected abuse or exploitation of children to the police.

The police also assured the public that the investigation would be conducted professionally and that due process would be observed.

The Command appealed to members of the public not to share the identity, photographs or other identifying information of the child, in order to protect her privacy and welfare.