Neighbours around 3, Okon Edak Street, off Atamunu, Calabar, Cross River State premises of a church were shocked on Thursday when they discovered a freshly harvested heart of a one-year-old girl, Success Ime in the church.
The police were called in and the General Overseer of the church, a Reverend, was arrested for allegedly using the girl for a ritual.
Other fetish items, including goat heads, dead chicken, male and female effigies, wooden boat, crafted camel among others, were uncovered by men of Uwanse Police Division.
The grandmother of the victim, Mrs Arit Ime, reveal that around 3 a.m. on that fateful day, there was a loud bang on their door, following which two masked men entered their room at 8, Okon Edak Street and took away the little girl.
A Police source said they got a distress call from the area and swung into action and that while looking for the girl’s kidnappers, some masked men were arrested.
The source said: “Some persons have been arrested including one Okon, who said he was sent by the Reverend to kidnap the girl. Six other persons were arrested alongside the G.O of the church with various fetish items, including a human heart.”
