Akwa Ibom Police Arrest Four Suspects in Lynching of Two Young Men

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command announced the arrest of four suspects linked to two separate lynching incidents in the state. In Nsit Ibom Local Government Area, a 26‑year‑old man, Nsikak Joshua, was beaten to death after being accused of threatening a neighbour with a machete. Police exhumed his shallow grave, recovered the body and, based on a confession, arrested two suspects – Otobong Nelson and Utibe Clement – while continuing to pursue the others.

In a second case in Mbak 4 community, Uyo Local Government Area, 21‑year‑old Emmanuel Effiong was mob‑killed after being accused of stealing poultry. A video of the assault showed the victim tied, beaten with sticks and machetes, and later buried in a shallow grave. Four suspects – David Okon, Joseph Gibson, Essien Solomon and Imoh Asuquo – were apprehended, confessed and led investigators to the burial site, where the remains were exhumed and taken to a mortuary. Police condemned the acts as illegal jungle justice and pledged to prosecute all involved.