School security guard arrested by Calabar police over alleged assault on 5-year-old child

A 22-year-old security guard, who identified himself as Bright Bassey Elijah, is in police custody in Cross River State following allegations that he s£xually assaulted a five-year-old pupil at a nursery and primary school in Calabar.

The Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Sunday Eitokpah, confirmed the arrest in a statement issued on Tuesday, noting that the school's proprietress had alerted the command about the incident on September 28.

According to a video by the PPRO on his Facebook page, where he also condemned the ass@ult, the guard was caught in the act inside the school premises. He also admitted performing oral s£x on the child, in the course of carrying out a task assigned to him by the proprietress. He has since been detained while preliminary investigations continue, and is expected to be handed over to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further questioning.

Eitokpah said the command was treating the matter with the seriousness it deserved, given the victim's age and the broader need to shield children from abuse and exploitation. He gave assurances that due process would be followed, and that investigators would pursue the case thoroughly and in line with child-protection procedures.

The police spokesperson also used the opportunity to appeal to parents, guardians, school administrators and the public at large to speak up promptly whenever they suspect a child is being abused or exploited, so that timely action can be taken. He further cautioned against circulating the child's identity, photos or any other identifying details online or offline, stressing that her privacy and wellbeing must be protected at all costs.