Police arrest 7 over ‘murder, arson’ in Akwa Ibom

The Akwa Ibom state Police command has arrested seven suspects, together with a principal homicide suspect, over the deadly stabbing of a 42-year-old man and the following burning of a village head’s residence and car in Essien Udim Local Government Area (LGA).

The incidents occurred at Ukana Mbak Ukot village, Odoro Ikot Clan, following a reported disagreement over the sharing of household funds between the deceased, recognized as Ukeme Jonah, and one Ifiok Akpan, aged 42, on November 2, 2026.

According to the Police, preliminary investigations revealed that the disagreement allegedly degenerated into violence when Akpan attacked Jonah with a damaged bottle, inflicting a deep wound on his stomach.

The sufferer was reportedly rushed to a hospital for medical consideration however later died from the accidents sustained throughout the assault.

Following his loss of life, the deceased’s corpse was reportedly taken to the compound of the village head, after which some people allegedly launched into a reprisal assault, setting the normal chief’s residence and his Toyota 4Runner car ablaze.

The police stated the incident was reported within the early hours of November 3, following a misery name from a involved particular person, prompting operatives of the Command to begin investigations.

In a swift operation, the principal suspect, Akpan, was arrested at his hideout, whereas six different suspects had been apprehended throughout a coordinated operation on the scene at about 11:45 a.m. on November 3.

The six further suspects had been recognized as Godwin Sunday, 42; Francis Dominic, 28; Julius Archibong, 52; Kingsley Ukeme, 23; Paulinus Bede, 28; and Udeme Tommy, 40. All are indigenes of Ukana Mbak Ukot Village in Essien Udim.

The Police stated the suspects had been being held in custody as investigations continued, whereas the corpse of the deceased had been deposited in a mortuary for post-mortem.

The Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom state command, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, has directed a radical and discreet investigation to unravel the total circumstances surrounding the incidents and be sure that all these discovered culpable are delivered to justice.

The Command condemned the acts of violence, jungle justice, arson and destruction of property, warning that no grievance or perceived injustice might justify taking the legislation into one’s arms.

It urged residents to stay calm, keep away from actions able to disrupting public peace and report prison actions to the closest police station, assuring the general public of its dedication to defending lives and property.