As the 2027 general elections draw closer, Cross River State is witnessing a disturbing resurgence of ritual killings, predominantly targeting women. Reports indicate that over the past decade, these heinous acts tend to spike during election periods, with women making up more than 90 percent of the victims.

Since the alarming trend began in 2015, numerous cases have emerged, yet law enforcement has failed to apprehend any suspects. The circumstances surrounding these killings are often shrouded in mystery, with victims frequently stripped of identifying features or personal belongings, complicating investigations.

The most recent case occurred on September 7, 2026, when a woman was brutally murdered at a guest house on Clifford Lane in Calabar South. Investigators noted that the killer or killers left no discernible clues, and the hotel receptionist did not record the identity of the man with whom the victim checked in. When he departed the following morning, no one could provide a description of him.

Earlier incidents include the murder of another woman in a hotel in Yahe, Yala Local Government Area, where she was allegedly lured without any record of her companion's details. In Ogoja, a girl was found dead along the Ogoja-Katsina Ala road, her body mutilated and abandoned. Similarly, in Ikom, a woman was killed, with her breast and tongue severed, igniting public outrage but yielding no substantial leads in the investigation.

The Cross River State Police have acknowledged the rising concern among residents. Police Public Relations Officer, Sunday Eitokpah, provided an update on the investigation into the recent murder, emphasizing ongoing efforts to locate the male guest who was last seen with the victim. He stated, "The Cross River State Police Command wishes to provide an update on the ongoing investigation on the suspected homicide of an unidentified female guest at a hotel along Clifford Lane."

The increase in these tragic incidents has sparked fear among the community, particularly as the victims are mostly young women. Observers have raised concerns about the circumstances under which these women meet their companions, often failing to inform friends or family about their whereabouts. This lack of communication makes it difficult for loved ones to raise alarms or assist in investigations when something goes awry.

One resident commented, "Ladies are too much in a hurry to hook up with people who lure them with flashy things. They fail to understand the present times where people are desperate for wealth."

As the state approaches the elections, the grim pattern of unexplained killings has resurfaced, leaving families of the victims grappling with unanswered questions about the identities of the perpetrators and their continued evasion of justice. The community remains on high alert, hoping for a swift resolution to these tragic incidents and a commitment from authorities to ensure the safety of its residents.