Cross River Police Arrest Two Men Over Alleged Attempted R@pe of 12-Year-Old Girl

Two men have been arrested in Calabar over the alleged attempted r@pe of a 12-year-old girl, following a report filed by the child's father, the Cross River State Police Command has said.

The suspects, identified as Moris Monday, 68, a shoe repairer, and Asuquo Effiom, 70, were taken into custody on August 23, 2026, after community members apprehended them and handed them over to police.

‘Following receipt of the complaint, Police investigators proceeded to the Hokins Road area by Thomas Henshaw Junction, where the suspects were found in the custody of community members and were taken into Police custody,’ the command's Public Relations Officer, Sunday Eitokpah, said in a statement issued to journalists on Monday in Calabar.

According to the statement, preliminary investigation revealed that Monday allegedly lured the child into his room and attempted to sexually ass@ult her on two separate occasions, August 13 and 14, 2026.

Effiom allegedly did the same on August 22, luring the minor into his room in a similar attempt.

'The Cross River State Police Command has arrested two suspects in connection with the alleged attempted r@pe of a 12-year-old girl in the Thomas Henshaw area of Calabar. The suspects, Moris Monday, aged 68, and Asuquo Effiom, aged 70, were arrested on 23 August 2026 following a report by the victim's father,' the statement read.

Eitokpah said both men had since made statements to the police but denied the allegations against them.

He added that the young girl had been referred to a government-approved medical facility for examination.

'The suspects have made statements to the Police and denied the allegations. The victim has been referred to a government-approved medical facility for medical examination,' the statement explained.

The case has now been moved to the State Criminal Investigation Department for discreet investigation and appropriate legal action, with the command pledging transparency as the case progresses.

'The Command assures the public that the matter will be handled professionally and in accordance with the law. Further developments will be communicated as the investigation progresses,' the statement added.