Residents of Afokang, Calabar South Local Government Area of Cross River State, have been gripped by fear following the disappearance of a young woman who was allegedly lured to an apartment by a friend, amid the discovery of blood traces around the property.
The disturbing incident, which has sparked allegations of ritual killing and possible human-part harvesting, is now the subject of a police investigation. However, authorities say no corpse has been recovered and no murder charge has been established.
The alarm was raised after residents of the Afokang, Jebbs Street area reportedly noticed thick blood traces flowing from a drainage pipe connected to a nearby apartment and leading towards a soakaway.
Police were alerted and subsequently sealed off the area, arresting 34-year-old Ofofon Philip, an indigene of Ini Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, and his 23-year-old girlfriend, Promise Offiong.
Philip operates a provision shop around Waddle Lane, while Offiong reportedly sells medicines at a chemist.
The case centres on an unidentified young woman whom neighbours said had allegedly visited the apartment in the company of Offiong and subsequently disappeared.
A neighbour, who requested anonymity, said she saw an average-height, fair-complexioned woman enter Philip’s apartment with Offiong the night before the blood was discovered but did not see her leave.
A resident identified only as Stella said the community remained convinced that something terrible had happened, although the woman’s identity and whereabouts had not been established.
“We don’t know her dreams, her church, where she worked, or the last thing she told her mother, but we know she did not leave that house.”
Stella, however, said residents were reluctant to speak openly because of fears that possible accomplices yet to be arrested could retaliate against those providing information.
Police: No corpse recovered
The Cross River State Police Command confirmed the discovery of blood traces around a soakaway but cautioned against drawing conclusions before investigations are completed.
The command’s spokesperson, Sunday Eitokpah Akata, said preliminary investigations and a search of the area had been conducted, while both suspects denied involvement in any killing.
“Preliminary investigation and a search of the area were conducted, and both suspects denied involvement in any murder.”
According to Akata, Philip told investigators that the blood was from an old injury to his leg, while Offiong claimed she had been locked inside a room before the alleged incident.
Those claims are being investigated.
Another resident, Immaculata, said she was unconvinced by Offiong’s account.
“The girl claimed the man locked her up before killing her. But that could just be a statement to try to extricate herself.”
Immaculata also recalled the tense atmosphere surrounding the discovery, saying residents had initially expected rainfall to wash away the blood traces.
“We thought the rain would fall and wash away the blood-spotted close to the soakaway pit. But the rain did not fall again as we had anticipated earlier.”
She said the blood stains remained visible the following morning, prompting residents to alert the police.
Allegation of midnight movement
Residents also raised questions about the movement of one of Philip’s vehicles during the night.
Immaculata alleged that one of his three buses arrived at about 2am, picked him up and returned later that night.
“Apparently, to deliver body parts and bring him back,” Immaculata alleged.
The police, however, have not confirmed the allegation, stressing that investigations are still ongoing.
A tricycle operator, Charles Ekong, said Philip was known to return home late and that local vigilantes sometimes stopped him but allowed him to continue because he was known as a resident and businessman.
“Vigilante sometimes stops him at night, but they let him go because they know him as a neighbour who operates a provision shop.”
Ekong also made other allegations about Philip’s past, including an unverified claim that he once attempted to use his mother for ritual purposes. The allegation has not been independently established or confirmed by the police or any court.
Police dismiss release rumour
The police have also rejected reports that the suspects had been released.
Akata said the pair remained in custody pending the outcome of the investigation.
“Up till this moment, there is no corpse found as reported by neighbours.”
He added:
“They are still in police custody pending the outcome of a discreet investigation.”
According to the police spokesperson, the matter was initially being treated as “conduct likely to cause a breach of peace”, pending the emergence of concrete evidence establishing whether a crime had actually been committed.
Akata warned that unverified claims of ritual killing could trigger violence in the community.
“Such an alarm is capable of sparking violence in the community if proper steps are not taken.”
He also said the absence of a missing-person report had complicated efforts to establish the identity of the woman allegedly linked to the incident.
Community on edge
The development has heightened anxiety among residents, with some elderly people reportedly avoiding open toilets at night because of security concerns.
Community youth leader Amaku Awatt declined to comment extensively, saying the matter was now in the hands of the police.
“The matter is in their hands.”
The clan head of Efut Akani Esuk in Calabar South, His Royal Highness Muri Eyo Effiong Okon V, confirmed that concerned residents had visited his palace over the development.
“They saw blood that flowed along the gutter linking the residence of the suspect.”
The monarch urged residents to remain vigilant and exercise caution, both during the day and at night.
He also raised concerns about the impact of a nearby Nigeria Correctional Centre and a roadblock along the Afokang-Jebbs access route, saying the situation had affected movement and interaction among residents.
Suspects arraigned
The two suspects were arraigned in court on June 18, 2026, according to Akata, following their arrest by the police command.
However, as investigations continue, authorities maintain that no corpse has been found and no murder charge has been established in connection with the allegations.
Police are expected to establish the source of the blood, determine whether anyone is actually missing, examine the suspects’ accounts and establish whether any criminal activity occurred at the property.
For residents of Afokang, the case has become a disturbing reminder of how quickly suspicion can turn an otherwise familiar neighbourhood into a scene of fear—and how an allegation involving two people who appeared to be an ordinary young couple has raised questions about trust, friendship and the safety of residents.
