The headless body of a 14-year-old boy, identified as Ogar, has been found in the Yahe River in northern Cross River State, days after he was reported missing.
Ogar was reportedly last seen on Friday afternoon after returning from school. His body was discovered in the river on Saturday afternoon, about a kilometre from the community.
His mother, Agnes, said the family became concerned after he left home shortly after eating on Friday and failed to return.
She said relatives and residents searched for the boy but could not find him until the following afternoon, when his body was discovered in the river without its head.
“I don’t know who did this wicked act to me, my only source of hope after his father died three years ago. His body without the head was found at the river,” she told Vanguard.
Agnes said the circumstances surrounding her son’s disappearance and death remained unclear. She said she could not explain how he got to the river or whether someone had taken him there.
She also questioned whether Ogar could have gone to the river on his own, saying it was not usually used for swimming or washing clothes at this time of the year because the water was dirty and brownish.
A classmate of the deceased, identified as Jacob, said Ogar had not told him or other friends that he planned to go anywhere with anyone.
Jacob said he learnt of the incident only after hearing that Ogar’s body had been found in the river.
A source at the Yahe Police Station, who confirmed the incident, said the case was under investigation, adding that the Divisional Police Officer was away in Calabar.
“I can tell you we are investigating the matter,” the source said.
The circumstances surrounding the boy’s death remain unclear.