The Cross River State Police Command has arrested two elderly men over the alleged attempted sexual assault of a 12-year-old girl in the Thomas Henshaw area of Calabar.
The suspects, identified as 68-year-old Moris Monday, a shoe repairer, and 70-year-old Asuquo Effiom, were arrested on Sunday, August 23, 2026, following a complaint filed by the girl’s father.
The command’s Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Sunday Eitokpah, disclosed this in a statement issued to journalists in Calabar on Monday.
Eitokpah said preliminary investigations indicated that Monday allegedly took the minor into his room on August 13 and 14 and attempted to sexually assault her on both occasions.
He added that Effiom was also accused of taking the girl into his room and attempting to sexually assault her on August 22.
The police spokesman said officers moved to the Hokins Road area near Thomas Henshaw Junction after receiving the complaint, where community members had reportedly apprehended the suspects before handing them over to the police.
According to him, “The suspects were found in the custody of community members and were taken into Police custody.”
Eitokpah said both suspects had made statements to investigators but denied the allegations.
He disclosed that the girl had been referred to a government-approved medical facility for examination as part of the investigation.
The case has since been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation and possible prosecution.
The police spokesperson assured members of the public that the command would handle the matter professionally and within the provisions of the law.
He said, “The Command assures the public that the matter will be handled professionally and in accordance with the law. Further developments will be communicated as the investigation progresses.”
