Akwa Ibom Police Arrest Seven Over Fatal Stabbing and Arson at Village Head’s Home

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has taken into custody a murder suspect and six other people linked to a deadly stabbing and the later torching of a village head’s home and Toyota 4Runner in Ukana Mbak Ukot Village, Odoro Ikot Clan, Essien Udim Local Government Area. DSP Timfon John, spokesperson for the command, announced the arrests in a statement issued Tuesday, November 10, 2026. She said the incident happened on November 2, 2026, and was reported to police in the early hours of November 3, 2026, after a concerned person made a distress call. Preliminary findings indicated that a dispute over the distribution of family funds arose between Ifiok Akpan, 42, and Ukeme Jonah, who died in the incident. According to the statement, the suspect allegedly used a broken bottle to attack the victim during the disagreement, causing a deep wound to his abdomen. The victim was taken to hospital immediately but later died from his injuries. After the death, the deceased’s body was said to have been moved to the village head’s compound. In what followed, some people reportedly set the village head’s residence and his Toyota 4Runner ablaze in apparent retaliation. The statement said the level of damage and the value of destroyed property had not yet been determined. Police said they acted promptly on the report and arrested the main suspect, Ifiok Akpan, at a hideout. In a coordinated operation, officers went to the scene around 11:45 a.m. on November 3, 2026, and arrested six more suspects in connection with the fire. The six were named as Godwin Sunday, 42; Francis Dominic, 28; Julius Archibong, 52; Kingsley Ukeme, 23; Paulinus Bede, 28; and Udeme Tommy, 40. Police said all six are from Ukana Mbak Ukot Village, Odoro Ikot Clan, Essien Udim Local Government Area. The suspects remain in police custody, while the deceased’s body has been placed in a mortuary for autopsy. Commissioner of Police Baba Mohammed Azare, who heads the Akwa Ibom State Command, directed a detailed and discreet investigation to determine the full circumstances of the incident and to ensure that anyone found responsible faces justice. The command condemned violence, jungle justice, arson and property destruction. It said no grievance, disagreement or perceived injustice can justify people taking the law into their own hands. It also asked the public to stay calm, avoid actions that could disrupt public peace and report criminal activity to the nearest police station. The command said it remains committed to safeguarding residents and property and will act decisively against anyone involved in criminal conduct.