The Cross River State Police Command has launched an investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the death of a woman, Blessing Ayebe, whose lifeless body was found inside the toilet of a church in Calabar.
It was gathered that Ayebe attended a worship service at the Presbyterian Church, Ikot Ansa Parish, on June 28 but failed to return home, prompting her family to raise the alarm after she was declared missing.
On July 1, her daughter, Peace Ayebe, reported the matter to the Federal Housing Police Station in Calabar after she was informed of her mother’s disappearance by her brother, Saviour Ayebe.
The deceased’s body was subsequently discovered inside the church’s toilet, prompting the police to commence an investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death.
Confirming the incident on Monday, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Cross River State Command, Eitokpah Sunday, said the case is under investigation.
According to the police spokesperson, the deceased was taken to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, where she was confirmed dead before her remains were deposited in the hospital’s mortuary for preservation and an autopsy to determine the cause of death.
Sunday added that the circumstances surrounding Ayebe’s death remain suspicious, although officers who visited the scene and examined the body found no visible signs of violence.
“The case is under investigation. The corpse has been deposited at the mortuary for preservation and autopsy to determine the cause of death. No suspect has been identified or arrested at this stage, as there is presently no evidence of foul play.
“Investigation is ongoing, and further developments will be communicated as they unfold,” the police spokesperson stated.
The command urged members of the public to remain calm and refrain from speculation as detectives continue investigations to establish the circumstances surrounding the woman’s death.