Cross Rivers State Police command has arrested a suspected serial killer, Cyril
Ojang Etim, 25, who had been wanted by the police over series of unexplained
deaths in the state.
He was picked by detectives attached to the state Criminal Investigation
Department days after he allegedly beheaded one Ubong Asuquo who caught him
stealing N4000 from his house at old Netim, Akamkpa Local Government Area of
Cross River State.
In the course of investigation, it was discovered that he was also responsible
for the death of his ex-lover, Esther. He admitted to have killed her when he
discovered that Esther, who was two months
pregnant, had an abortion.
On his arrest, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Henry Fadairo told
Saturday Sun that he had received several reports of the activities of Etim
especially from relatives of victims that were either raped or murdered.
He explained that the manhunt was intensified when it was confirmed that the
suspect beheaded his colleague, one Ubong Asuquo. “When the news of his arrest
broke, several persons came forward alleging that he either raped or stole from
them.”
Investigation also revealed that sometime in 2012, the suspect was caught
trying to strangulate one of his victims. Not aware that he had become a
serial rapist and a killer, the community flogged and asked him to go home and
sin no more.
“Also in 2013, he confessed to have killed his lover because she had an
abortion. He was arrested then and charged to court. He was later released by a
chief judge in 2014, when his name was submitted as those who appeared to have
repented,” CP Fadairo said.
The police boss further said that unrepentant Etim continued in his former
trade of robbery. “On February 27, 2015, he visited the house of the late
Asuquo and stole his N4000. Unfortunately for him, Asuquo caught him red handed
and chased him with a cutlass. Both ended up in the bush and Etim over powered
him, picked up the cutlass and beheaded Asuquo. A passerby who witnessed the
incident rushed to the nearest police station and reported the matter,” Fadairo
added.
At the police station, Etim told Saturday Sun that he believes that he was
under a spell.
recover my senses as soon as I have committed a crime. It all started in 2010
after my 20th birthday. I discovered that my love for women increased. I do
not have money but I wanted to have sex. If any woman tries to resist me, I
will force her to have sex with me.
face, people will blame the women for seducing me. Unfortunately, in 2013, my
lover Esther told me that she was pregnant. I was already dreaming that I will
become a father at a young age when she came back a week later and told me that
she had an abortion. I was devastated and out of anger, beat her to death,” he
said.
handed himself over to the police.
repented from my sins and gave my life to Christ. I was well behaved, that is
why the prison authority submitted my name to the Chief Judge. She was the one
who approved my release.
life again. I went back to the same crime. I was very broke and since I knew
the late Asuquo, I decided to sneak into his house and get some money. The
first time I stole N3000 and was not caught. I went back three days later and
was about to collect the N4000 that I saw in one of his drawers when he saw me.
He shouted and picked his cutlass. I ran as fast as I could but he came after
me. I knew that he would kill me, that was why I fought back. I had no choice
but to kill him. I never knew that someone saw us.
stable inside there. I know that I have committed a lot of atrocities but I am
begging the families of my victims to forgive me because I want to make
heaven”, Etim pleaded.