Concerns over alleged ritual killings have resurfaced in Cross River State, with recent cases of women found dead raising fresh fears ahead of the 2027 general elections.
A report by Vanguard said observations over the past 11 years indicate that reported cases of alleged ritual killings in the state have tended to increase as general elections approach, with women accounting for more than 90 per cent of the reported victims.
According to the report, several women have been killed since 2015 in circumstances suspected to be linked to ritual activities, but no suspect has reportedly been arrested in connection with the cases highlighted.
Latest killing raises concern
The most recent incident occurred on September 7, 2026, when a woman was allegedly murdered at a guest house along Clifford Lane in Calabar South.
Police said preliminary investigations indicated that the woman had lodged at the hotel with a male guest whose whereabouts were still being investigated.
The Cross River State Police Command has appealed to members of the public to provide information that could assist investigators in identifying the deceased and locating the man who reportedly accompanied her to the hotel.
Other cases reported
The report also highlighted similar incidents in other parts of the state.
In Yahe, Yala Local Government Area, a woman was reportedly killed in a hotel after allegedly being lured there.
Another case was reported in Ogoja, where a girl was allegedly killed after being lured to an isolated location along the Ogoja-Katsina-Ala road.
In Ikom, a woman was reportedly found murdered along the Ikom-Obudu road, while another woman was found dead and abandoned near Satellite Town, close to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital.
The circumstances surrounding these deaths remain matters for police investigation, and the claims of ritual involvement have not been established in court.
Calls for stronger investigations
The recurrence of unexplained killings has generated concern among residents and observers, particularly because many of the victims are reportedly young women.
The latest cases have also drawn attention to security practices at hotels and guest houses, with questions being raised over the failure in some instances to properly document the identities of guests and their companions.
Police authorities are expected to intensify investigations into the latest case and determine whether there is any connection between the recent deaths and earlier unsolved killings.
2027 elections heighten concerns
The incidents have become particularly worrying as political activities gradually intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections.
While there is no established evidence in the report proving that the killings are connected to the elections, the reported historical pattern has revived fears among residents about a possible recurrence of violent crimes associated with periods of heightened political activity.
For families of the victims, the immediate priority remains justice and answers over who was responsible for the deaths and why previous cases have apparently remained unresolved.
The latest incidents have therefore renewed calls for stronger investigations, better security measures in hotels and guest houses, and greater public cooperation with law enforcement agencies.
