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Police arrest two suspects over the alleged murder of a 26-year-old man in Nsit Ibom.
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Prime suspect allegedly confesses to ordering the fatal assault.
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Victim’s father reportedly forced to bury son’s body in a shallow grave.
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Police exhume corpse for autopsy as manhunt continues for fleeing suspects.
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Commissioner of Police vows to bring all those involved to justice.
The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested two suspects in connection with the alleged murder of a 26-year-old man, Nsikak Joshua, in Oboetim Ikot Ekong Village, Nsit Ibom Local Government Area of the state.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Timfon John, disclosed this while briefing journalists yesterday, at the Command Headquarters, Ikot Akpan Abia, Uyo.
According to the PPRO, the case was reported to the police on July 14, 2026, by the victim’s father, Mr. Ekere.
He alleged that his only son was beaten to death by Otobong Nelson, popularly known as “Efok Ikid,” alongside Inemesit Robert, Utibe Clement, and Victor Robert, all residents of the community.
She said the complainant told police that the suspects later brought his son’s corpse to his residence armed with spades, compelled him to indicate where the body should be buried, dug a shallow grave within his compound, and buried the deceased, and threatened him against reporting the incident to the police.
The PPRO said detectives immediately commenced investigations, leading to the arrest of Otobong Nelson and Utibe Clement on July 17 following credible intelligence.
She stated that during interrogation, the principal suspect allegedly confessed to ordering the assault on the deceased after he was summoned over allegations of threatening a neighbour with a machete.
According to the confession, the deceased was beaten with sticks by the other suspects at his instruction, resulting in his death.
The PPRO further disclosed that the suspects allegedly attempted to conceal the crime by taking the corpse to the victim’s father and falsely claiming that he had died in a hit-and-run accident.
They also allegedly discouraged the family from taking the body to a mortuary before burying it in a shallow grave.
She said the police subsequently exhumed the victim’s remains and deposited them in a morgue for preservation and autopsy, while efforts are ongoing to arrest the remaining suspects who are still at large.
The Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State, Baba Mohammed Azare, condemned the killing, describing it as barbaric, unlawful, and unacceptable.
He directed investigators to intensify efforts to apprehend the fleeing suspects and ensure that all those connected with the crime are brought to justice.
The Command also warned that no individual or group has the right to take the law into their own hands, stressing that anyone involved in conspiracy, unlawful assault, murder, intimidation of witnesses, or concealment of evidence would be investigated and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
