Outrage as Video Shows Elderly Man Forced Into Coffin With Corpse in Cross River

• A disturbing incident in the Bekwarra Local Government Area, Cross River State, is now under detailed investigation after a viral video surfaced showing youths forcing an elderly man into a coffin next to a corpse.
• The man was severely assaulted and threatened with burial after the youths accused him of being a witch responsible for the deceased’s death.

Authorities in Bekwarra Local Government Area, Cross River State, have commenced a detailed investigation into a disturbing viral video that surfaced online on November 19, 2025. The video shows an elderly man being assaulted and forced into a coffin alongside a corpse by youths who accused him of witchcraft and killing the deceased.

The youths were heard speaking the Bekwarra language, demanding the man confess to the allegation or face being buried with the corpse. The incident has triggered widespread condemnation.

Official Response and Investigation Status

The Acting Chairman of Bekwarra Local Government Area, Hon. Egbung, Odama Egbung, signed a statement confirming urgent action was taken.

He explained that preliminary investigations by security heads have faced challenges in locating the crime scene:

“Preliminary investigations by all security heads across the local government have not been able to identify the particular ward, village or community where the scene was allegedly perpetrated.”

The Acting Chairman has instructed Ward Relations Officers to liaise with local leaders to identify the victim and those responsible.

The statement appealed to the public for help:

“While investigations are ongoing, he appealed to the public with first hand information on the scene of the alleged assault to kindly speak up while urging residents to contact the ward relations officer in their various wards or visit the Divisional Police Headquarters, Abuochiche with useful information.”

Forensic investigators are also reportedly tracing the source and authenticity of the video, and the social media handles of some individuals who shared the content have been documented for questioning.