The Cross River State Police Command has arrested a 22-year-old security guard attached to a nursery and primary school in Calabar following an allegation that he sexually assaulted a five-year-old pupil, with authorities promising a thorough investigation and strict measures to protect the identity and welfare of the child.
The case was reported to police on Monday, September 28, 2026, by the proprietress of the unnamed school in Calabar, Cross River State. Police identified the suspect as Bright Bassey Elijah, 22, and confirmed that he remained in custody while preliminary investigations continued. The name of the school has not been publicly disclosed, while authorities have specifically warned against revealing information capable of identifying the child.
According to the Cross River State Police Command, the security guard was allegedly caught taking the five-year-old pupil to an uncompleted building within the vicinity of the school. Police said the alleged sexual assault was reported to have occurred there. The allegation remains under investigation, and no court has determined the suspect's guilt.
Police Public Relations Officer ASP Eitokpah Sunday Akata confirmed the arrest in a statement issued on September 29. He said investigators had begun preliminary inquiries and that the suspect would subsequently be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, commonly known as the SCID, for further investigation.
“The Command is treating the matter with the seriousness it deserves, particularly given the age of the alleged victim,” the police spokesperson said. He added that appropriate investigative and child-protection procedures would be followed in accordance with the law.
The police statement did not provide details about the child's medical condition or disclose whether she had undergone a medical examination following the allegation. Authorities also did not announce that formal criminal charges had been filed against the security guard as of the latest available information. His arrest therefore represents an investigative stage of the case rather than a conviction or judicial finding.
The command urged parents, guardians, teachers, school administrators and members of the wider public to remain vigilant for indications that children may be experiencing abuse or exploitation. It asked anyone who suspects such conduct to report concerns promptly to the police so appropriate intervention can begin.
Authorities placed particular emphasis on protecting the five-year-old's privacy. Police warned members of the public against circulating her name, photograph or other identifying information, stressing that protecting her welfare should remain a priority while investigators examine what happened.
That warning is particularly important in cases involving children because information that may appear insignificant can sometimes allow a victim to be identified. Publishing the child's school, family details, photograph or other distinctive information could undermine efforts to protect her privacy. For that reason, the school has also not been named in this report.
The case raises wider questions for schools and parents about safeguarding arrangements for young children during school hours. Security guards occupy positions that can involve regular access to school grounds, entrances and pupils. Effective safeguarding therefore extends beyond teachers and classroom staff to employees and other adults who can come into contact with children.
For school proprietors, the allegation underscores the importance of recruitment checks, supervision, clearly defined restricted areas and procedures governing interactions between individual staff members and pupils. Schools can also reduce opportunities for abuse by ensuring that isolated or abandoned structures close to areas used by children are properly secured and monitored.
However, the arrest itself does not establish that the suspect committed the alleged offence. Nigerian criminal procedure requires allegations to be investigated and, where sufficient evidence exists, prosecuted before a competent court. The suspect retains the presumption of innocence unless and until guilt is established through the judicial process.
The police statement did not disclose whether investigators had interviewed additional witnesses or obtained forensic evidence. It also did not indicate how long the preliminary investigation was expected to take. The planned transfer of the case to the SCID suggests that investigators intend to conduct further inquiries before determining the appropriate next legal steps.
For parents, the incident also highlights the importance of creating an environment in which children can communicate when something makes them uncomfortable. Young children may not always possess the language to describe inappropriate behaviour clearly, making attentive supervision and age-appropriate safeguarding education particularly important.
The responsibility for protecting children, however, cannot be placed on young pupils themselves. Schools and adults responsible for their care have the primary duty to provide safe environments, supervise staff and respond quickly when concerns arise. Where an allegation is reported, the priority should include protecting the child, securing appropriate professional support and preserving evidence for investigators.
Police said the investigation would be handled professionally and with due process. That commitment means investigators must protect the alleged victim while also establishing the facts fairly and objectively before conclusions are reached about criminal responsibility.
The case has so far generated no confirmed public statement from the management of the school beyond the police account that its proprietress reported the matter. There is also no verified information indicating whether the suspect has been suspended or dismissed from his employment. Such details should not be assumed in the absence of an official announcement.
The authorities have similarly not released the identities of the child's parents or guardians, an approach consistent with protecting a minor involved in an allegation of sexual abuse. Media organisations and social-media users should avoid attempts to discover or publish those identities, particularly where doing so could indirectly identify the child.
What is confirmed at this stage is that a 22-year-old school security guard is in police custody following an allegation involving a five-year-old pupil; the school's proprietress reported the matter on September 28; preliminary investigations have begun; and police intend to transfer the case to the SCID for further investigation.
The outcome will depend on what investigators establish and whether prosecutors determine that sufficient evidence exists to bring charges. Until then, the allegation remains exactly that—an allegation requiring careful investigation.
For families in Calabar and elsewhere, the incident is also a reminder that safeguarding children requires cooperation among parents, schools, law-enforcement agencies and communities. The immediate priorities remain protecting the five-year-old's privacy and welfare, establishing what occurred through a professional investigation and ensuring that any subsequent legal proceedings follow due process.
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