Fear has taken over residents of Calabar after the horrifying discovery of an 18-year-old boy’s headless body, suspected to be a victim of ritual killing. The body was found along the swampy area of the Calabar River behind the Cross River Basin Authority at Ikot Effanga, Calabar Municipality.

The victim, identified as Daniel Ekanem, who hailed from Ikot Offiong in Odukpani LGA and lived in Lemna community in Calabar Municipality, was last seen on August 14, 2025.

His body, discovered five days later on August 19, was already decomposed when his family finally found it after a desperate search.

The gruesome nature of the discovery, with his head removed, has raised strong suspicions that Daniel may have been killed for ritual purposes.

Family members told reporters that Daniel had gone to the swamp to harvest vegetables before he disappeared.

Finding his headless body in the same area has left the community shocked and fearful, fueling concerns about ritual killings in Calabar.

Business and farming activities in the swamps have largely stopped as residents and farmers fear for their safety.

Calabar’s Commissioner of Police, CP Rashid Afegbua, confirmed the murder, calling it tragic. He expressed condolences to the family and assured that a thorough investigation was underway.

He added that tactical units, including the Dragon Squad and Ikot Omin Division, are actively following leads to catch the suspects.

Community leaders in Ikot Effanga and nearby Ikot Enebong have promised to fully cooperate with the police to help bring those responsible to justice, amid growing fears that this could be the latest case of ritual killing in the state.