By Johnbosco Agbakwuru
Calabar—A suspected ritual killer (names withheld) has been arrested by the Police in Calabar, Cross River State, for allegedly kidnapping a 13-year-old girl, who hawks banana, for ritual purposes.

The suspect reportedly kidnapped the teenage girl, Tuesday, and put her in a deep freezer at State Housing Estate, Calabar.

Confirming the incident, Mr. Jeremiah Adim, Zone 6 Public Relations Office, said the suspect was receiving treatment at an undisclosed Police Clinic as a result of the serious beating he received from an angry mob before the police came to his rescue.

He added that the suspect picked up the victim at Mbukpa in Calabar South Local Government Area under the pretext of buying the entire banana. However, on reaching his warehouse at the Marian Market, he allegedly ordered the girl to undress.

He said that it was at that point that the girl shouted for help which attracted the neighbours. They found the girl inside a deep freezer.

He said the girl, whose name was not given, made a statement, adding that investigations were ongoing and that the suspect will face the wrath of the law.

The suspect, a major dealer in foreign rice and tomato, allegedly owns more than eight shops in Marian Market in Calabar Municipality and a number of shops at the Etim Edem Park n Calabar South council.

Following the incident, hoodlums in the area went on rampage, yesterday, looting shops said to belong to the suspect at Marian Market and carting away bags of rice and tomatoes and other valuables before security men where drafted to the market to keep the peace.