Cross River Governor’s Media Aide Awade Friday Detained Over Death of Social Media Influencer Abel

Tension is rising in Cross River State after police confirmed the arrest of a senior government aide linked to the controversial death of a social media influencer, identified as Mr Abel.

The suspect, Awade Friday, who serves as Special Adviser on Media to Governor Bassey Otu, was taken into custody over what authorities described as the “sudden and unnatural” death of the influencer.

Police spokesperson ASP Eitokpah Sunday Akata confirmed the development to journalists in Calabar on Friday morning. He said the aide is currently being held at the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) as part of ongoing inquiries.

“He is under our custody in State CID. He is helping us with an ongoing investigation,” Akata said, without giving further details on the circumstances surrounding the case.

Awade Friday is a well-known radio presenter in Calabar and was appointed into the state executive as a media adviser. He has also been active in political mobilisation efforts ahead of Governor Otu’s re-election bid.

The arrest has drawn attention across the state, given his public profile and proximity to the governor’s communication team. Authorities say investigations are still ongoing, and no formal charges have been announced at this stage.