Pastor’s Wife Arrested By Police For Assaulting 5-Year-Old Niece In Calabar

A woman identified as Mrs. Unyime Bassey, who is married to a pastor, has been arrested by the Cross River State Police for allegedly assaulting her five-year-old niece, Edidiong.

The incident reportedly happened at her home on Stream Road in the Atimbo area of Calabar Municipality.

Reports indicate that Edidiong, who helps take care of Mrs. Bassey’s youngest child, Blessing, has allegedly been beaten several times in the past over small matters.

The most recent incident reportedly happened after the child was accused of taking a piece of meat from a pot of soup.

People living nearby said that this particular episode appeared less severe compared to earlier cases of alleged abuse.

Neighbours also said that while Mrs. Bassey’s own children attend school, Edidiong stays at home under her aunt’s supervision.

The case has attracted reactions from members of the community, especially because both Mrs. Bassey and her husband are known to be pastors.

The spokesperson for the Cross River State Police Command, ASP Sunday Eitokpah, confirmed that Mrs. Bassey was arrested on March 11, 2026, around 10:45 a.m.

Eitokpah said that officers from the A Division in Calabar carried out the arrest.

He explained that the police acted after a video showing the alleged assault began circulating widely online.

According to him, preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect hit the child with a spatula, causing an injury near her right eye.

Doctors who examined the girl also found bruises on different parts of her body, which appear to indicate repeated physical abuse.

Police authorities said the investigation is still in progress and that more information will be released as the case develops.

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