By Bassey Uti
Tragedy struck in Calabar, the Cross River State capital, as a middle-aged man, Joseph Emmanuel, allegedly beat his ten-year-old daughter to death over a missing petrol pipe.
The incident occurred at about 7:30 p.m. at No. 3 Esit Ebom Street in Calabar South Local Government Area.
Joseph Emmanuel, said to be involved in black-market petrol sales, reportedly searched for a pipe he used to transfer fuel into his commercial motorcycle and customers’ vehicles.
When the pipe could not be found, he allegedly questioned his first daughter about its whereabouts.
Eyewitnesses say the man became enraged when the child could not give an answer and began to beat her.
The girl was reportedly kicked in the ribs, after which she convulsed and started bleeding from the nose.
Neighbours rushed the child to a nearby church in an effort to save her, but she was pronounced dead shortly after.
Angered residents attempted to mob the suspect before the matter was reported at the Atakpa Police Station.
Police operatives arrived at the scene and rescued the man from being lynched.
Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Cross River State Command, ASP Sunday Eitokpa, said the suspect sustained injuries from the mob and was taken to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital for medical attention.
According to the police, the suspect, who is now in custody, confessed to beating the child but claimed he did not intend to kill her, saying he acted in anger.
The body of the deceased has been deposited in a morgue, while investigations continue. Police say the suspect will be charged to court at the
