The Cross River State Police Command has arrested a 37-year-old security guard, Ndifreke Godwin, over the alleged sexual assault of an eight-year-old girl in Calabar.
The incident occurred along Tinapa Road in Calabar Municipality Local Government Area of Cross River State.
The command’s Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Eitokpah Sunday, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, saying the suspect was arrested after the victim’s mother reported the matter to the police on August 29, 2026.
According to the police, preliminary investigation showed that Godwin allegedly lured the minor to his residence with a promise of giving her money before allegedly sexually assaulting her.
“The incident was reported to the Police on 29 August 2026 by the victim’s mother, following which the suspect was promptly arrested,” the statement said.
The police said operatives moved swiftly after receiving the report and arrested the suspect.
The case has now been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for what the command described as a discreet and comprehensive investigation.
The victim has also been issued a medical form for examination and necessary treatment.
“The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for discreet and comprehensive investigation,” Eitokpah said.
The command stressed that the investigation would determine the circumstances surrounding the allegation and guide the next legal steps.
It also assured the public that the suspect would be accorded due process and that appropriate legal action would be taken based on the outcome of the investigation.
“The Command assures the public that the suspect will be accorded due process and that appropriate legal action will be taken based on the outcome of the investigation,” the statement added.
The case has again drawn attention to child protection in Cross River State, where authorities have previously raised concerns over the vulnerability of children to abuse, exploitation and other forms of violence.
The state has a Child Rights Law providing protections for children, while the Cross River Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law, enacted in 2021, also forms part of the state’s legal framework for addressing violence and abuse.
Authorities have continued to call for closer cooperation among parents, communities, security agencies and child-protection organisations to prevent abuse and ensure that suspected offenders are brought before the appropriate authorities.
The latest arrest also comes months after a Calabar court sentenced a man to life imprisonment for the rape of an eight-year-old girl in a separate case.
Police, however, have not released details that could identify the child involved in the latest incident.
The command urged parents and guardians to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities involving children to security agencies.
The suspect remains in police custody as investigators work to establish the facts of the case and determine the appropriate legal action.
