By Karen James
Police operatives from the 3-3 Divisional Headquarters in Onitsha, Anambra State, have arrested a 40-year-old man, Alfred Bassey, for negligence in connection with the sudden death of his 7-year-old child. The arrest was made on December 13, 2024, following the discovery of the child’s lifeless body in a soakaway pit at an uncompleted building in Trans-Nkisi Layout, Onitsha.
Preliminary investigations revealed that Alfred Bassey, a native of Abi in Cross River State, had forcibly taken custody of the child from the mother and was living with him in the abandoned building. On December 11, 2024, the father reportedly left the child unattended, leading to the tragic incident. The child’s body was recovered and confirmed dead at the hospital.
Expressing deep sadness, Anambra State Commissioner of Police, CP Nnaghe Obono Itam, urged parents to prioritize the safety and well-being of their children despite personal conflicts. He has directed the immediate transfer of the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Awka, for thorough investigation. SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the Police Public Relations Officer, confirmed the development and assured the public of justice in the matter.
