Reacting to speculations that a pastor arrested for the alleged abduction and murder of a baby girl last week in Calabar, Cross River, has been released, the state police command said on Tuesday the suspect is still in custody and would be charged to court.
The pastor of God’s Commandments Ministry along Atamunu Street, Calabar, Mr. Tony Obo, was arrested last Thursday for allegedly abducting and killing a one- year- and -seven month old baby, Success, for ritual purposes.
The police said items recovered from the pastor included a human heart suspected to be that of the abducted baby, some charms, fetish items and pictures of various persons among others.
A branch of the church, along Abua Street in Calabar, was demolished by enraged residents on Friday.
Parading the suspect with six other suspected accomplices in Calabar on Tuesday, the Cross River State Police Commissioner, Mr. Hafiz Inuwa, said rumours that the suspect had been freed were false.
Speaking through the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Irene Ugbo, he said: “We have come to show the world that the people are still in custody. There is no way the police can release any murder and kidnapping suspect without due process. They are already here. We are going to charge them to court immediately. The other suspects are here because they aided in the abduction of the little girl. They will be charged alongside the pastor to the court.”
The body of the baby has not yet been found, the police said.
Mr. Obo said he was not guilty of ritual killing.
According to him, the heart found was that of a chicken and all the charms and other fetish items found in his church were what the children used for acting whenever they wanted to present a drama.
He said the blood found in his church belonged to a goat, which he used for his prayers.
According to him, the church has been in existence for two years.
The mother of the baby, 20-year old Faith Inyang, said three armed men had broken into her house around 3:00 a.m. on Wednesday last week and forcefully taken away her baby.
She said Success was her first and only child.
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