4 suspects arrested over lynching of 21-year-old

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested four suspects allegedly involved in the brutal killing of a 21-year-old man. It was gathered that Emmanuel Effiong was lynched by a mob after being accused of stealing chickens and eggs from a poultry farm in Mbak 4 community, Uyo Local Government Area. According to the Police […]

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested four suspects allegedly involved in the brutal killing of a 21-year-old man.
It was gathered that Emmanuel Effiong was lynched by a mob after being accused of stealing chickens and eggs from a poultry farm in Mbak 4 community, Uyo Local Government Area.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, Effiong was beaten with sticks and machetes until he died, after which his body was secretly buried in a shallow grave.

John said a police investigation, aided by a viral video showing the assault on the deceased, led to the arrest of the four suspects.

“In the disturbing footage, the victim was seen lying helpless in a pool of blood with his hands and legs tied before being dragged along the ground beside a white Mitsubishi pick-up van.

“Acting swiftly on the intelligence, operatives of the command commenced a painstaking investigation, which led to the arrest of four principal suspects: David Okon, alias Ita, 45; Joseph Gibson, 39; Essien Solomon, 23; and Imoh Asuquo, 28.”

John said the suspects had confessed to their respective roles in the murder and led investigators to the shallow grave where the deceased was buried in a forest in Mbak 4 community.

She added that the remains had been exhumed and deposited at the mortuary.

According to her, investigators also recovered critical exhibits connected to the crime, including the Mitsubishi pick-up van, a wheelbarrow and the weapons allegedly used during the attack.

The police condemned the act, describing jungle justice as a grave criminal offence with no place in a civilised society.

The command warned that it would pursue and bring to justice everyone connected with acts of mob violence, extrajudicial killings and other forms of criminality, irrespective of status or influence.