A man identified as Samson Matthew Ebop, also known as Ecomoc, has been accused of repeatedly sexually abusing his 15-year-old daughter in Iwuru Obio Ntan, Biase Local Government Area of Cross River State.
Ebop, reportedly in his 40s, was accused of sexually abusing the teenager over an extended period after she returned to live with him following the separation of her parents.
According to information gathered on the incident, the girl initially resisted her father’s alleged advances but was later forced into submission after he allegedly threatened her with a knife.
She reportedly kept the alleged abuse to herself after her father allegedly threatened to kill her if she told anyone.
The teenager, however, later began confiding in some people within their compound, alleging that her father had repeatedly abused her and that he was responsible for her first sexual experience.
Some residents reportedly expressed doubts about the allegation until the girl confided in another person, who advised her to report the matter to her father’s age grade.
The teenager subsequently appeared before the age grade and presented what she described as evidence of the alleged abuse.
The leader of the age grade reportedly directed some youths to summon Ebop to the village square, where he was questioned alongside his daughter.
Sources said Ebop initially denied the allegation but later admitted to having sexual relations with his daughter after the evidence presented by the teenager and information reportedly provided by medical personnel were considered.
Following the alleged admission, some youths reportedly assaulted Ebop before taking him to the village head.
The traditional ruler was said to have ordered that the suspect be returned to the village square, where he was allegedly assaulted again before directing that the matter be reported to the police.
The youths later reportedly took Ebop to soldiers operating in the area, who were said to have begun follow-up on the case.
The development has raised concern among residents, with members of the community calling for a formal investigation and prosecution if the allegation is established.
Community sources also alleged that Ebop had previously been associated with cult groups and accused him of other offences, including alleged sexual assaults on elderly women who went to farms in the area and repeated cases of theft.
However, the allegations have not been independently established.
The spokesperson for the Cross River State Police Command, ASP Eitokpah Sunday Akata, confirmed that the police were investigating the matter.
He said the command would act swiftly in response to the alleged crime.
