Family Seeks Police Help As Woman Goes Missing After Fleeing Female Circumcision Threats

The family of a Cross River State woman, Mrs. Queen Etim Effiong, has appealed to security agencies to help locate her after she reportedly disappeared while fleeing what relatives describe as threats linked to a traditional female circumcision practice.

Queen, a graduate of Botany from the University of Calabar, was born into a Christian family and raised by her widowed mother following the death of her father when she was 10 years old.

According to family accounts, her mother endured difficult widowhood rites and worked tirelessly to provide for her three children, emphasizing education and self-reliance.

In 2015, Queen reportedly married Mr. Ikale Usang Imong despite opposition from members of his family. The marriage produced three children—two boys and a girl—and was said to have remained stable for several years.

However, her younger sister, Victoria Effiong, alleged that tensions emerged after the birth of Queen's daughter in 2022.

Speaking on the matter, Victoria claimed that members of her sister's husband's family became unusually attentive following the child's birth. She said the situation escalated as the girl approached her third birthday.

According to her, Queen was informed by her husband that a family tradition required both mother and daughter to undergo circumcision when a female child turned three years old.

"She was shocked and rejected the idea outright because it went against her Christian beliefs and personal convictions," Victoria said.

She alleged that Queen's refusal triggered months of disagreement and pressure from family members, with repeated demands that she submit herself and her daughter to the practice.

As the date for the alleged ritual approached, Victoria said her sister fled with her children and went into hiding.

"Threats followed her departure. Her husband allegedly warned that she and her daughter would be forced to undergo the ritual regardless of her objections," she claimed.

Victoria further alleged that efforts by her sister to seek protection were unsuccessful, leaving her feeling isolated and vulnerable.

She also claimed that the crisis took a tragic turn when their elder sister, whom the family regarded as a mother figure, died following a confrontation allegedly connected to efforts to locate Queen's whereabouts.

According to Victoria, Queen later sought refuge through her church, where members of the congregation helped keep her hidden from those searching for her.

In what she described as a painful sacrifice to ensure her daughter's safety, Queen reportedly left the child in the care of trusted church members to avoid detection.

"Since then, nobody knows where she is. We have not heard from her, and all efforts to contact her have failed," Victoria said.

She appealed to the police and other relevant authorities to assist in locating her sister and determining her safety and whereabouts.

"I am urging the police, through this medium, to help us find her. We are deeply worried and just want to know that she is safe," she added.

Efforts to obtain a response from Queen's husband and members of his family regarding the allegations were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report. The claims remain allegations, and authorities have not publicly commented on the matter.