Aniefiok Christopher
The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has exhumed remains of a victim of mob killing for autopsy and arrested four suspects in connection with the murder.
This was as the command recorded the breakthrough during an investigation of a gruesome case of conspiracy and murder.
Already, police have arrested four suspects linked to the brutal killing of a 21-year-old man, one Emmanuel Effiong, whose body was secretly buried in a shallow grave after he was allegedly lynched by a mob.
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A press release signed by DSP Timfon John, the command’s Police Public Relations Officer for the state Commissioner of Police on Thursday, July 17, said ‘‘the investigation was initiated following credible information received on 17th June, 2026, accompanied by a viral video clip showing the deceased being brutally assaulted by a group of individuals.
‘’In the disturbing footage, the victim was seen lying helpless in a pool of blood with his hands and legs tied, before he was being dragged on the ground beside a white Mitsubishi pick-up van.’’
According to the release, ‘‘Acting swiftly on the intelligence, operatives of the Command commenced a painstaking investigation which led to the arrest of four principal suspects.
‘‘They are David Okon alias Ita, 45 years, Joseph Gibson, 39 years, Essien Solomon, 23 years and and Imoh Asuquo, 28 years.
‘‘Further investigation revealed that the deceased was allegedly accused of stealing chickens and eggs from a poultry farm located along Mbak 4 Community in Uyo Local Government Area.
”Rather than being handed over to law enforcement authorities, he was subjected to a barbaric mob attack on 19th April, 2026, during which he was beaten with sticks and machetes until he died,’’ the police said.
‘‘The suspects allegedly tied the victim’s hands and legs, dragged his lifeless body through the community to a certain Junction, abandoned it there for about two days, and later transported the corpse on a wheelbarrow into a nearby forest where it was buried in a shallow grave in a deliberate attempt to conceal the crime.
‘‘During interrogation, the four suspects voluntarily confessed to their respective roles in the murder and subsequently led investigators to the burial site within the forest at Mbak 4 Community. The remains of the deceased were successfully exhumed and deposited at the morgue.
‘‘Investigators also recovered critical exhibits connected with the crime, including the Mitsubishi pick-up van allegedly used during the commission of the offence, the wheelbarrow used in transporting the corpse, and the weapons allegedly used in perpetrating the attack,’’ it recounted.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, fsi, has condemned the heinous act in the strongest possible terms, describing jungle justice as a grave criminal offence that has no place in a civilized society.
Azare reiterated that no individual or group has the legal authority to assault, torture or take the life of any person under any guise or suspicion. Every suspect is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction, and anyone apprehended for any alleged offence must be handed over to the Police or other lawful authorities for due process.
The Commissioner warned that the Command would relentlessly pursue and bring to justice every individual connected with acts of mob violence, extrajudicial killings and other forms of criminality, irrespective of their status or influence.
The Akwa Ibom State Police Command remains resolute in its commitment to protecting the sanctity of human life, upholding the rule of law, and ensuring that every person responsible for criminal acts is made to face the full weight of the law.
