By Patrick Tirus, Uyo
A man, aged 21, has been beaten to death in Akwa Ibom State over allegation of stealing chickens and eggs from a poultry farm located along Mbak 4 community in Uyo Local Government Area.
The victim, identified as Emmanuel Effiong, whose remains were secretly buried in a shallow grave by his attackers who committed the crime through jungle justice on 19th April, 2026,
Police Public Relations Office (PPRO) in the state, DSP Timfon John who confirmed the incident in a statement, stated that four suspects have been arrested in connection with the crime.
According to DSP John, the arrest of the suspects named: David Okon alias Ita, 45, Joseph Gibson, 39, Essien Solomon, 23, and Imoh Asuquo, 28, followed 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 helplessly in a pool of blood with his hands and legs tied, before being dragged on the ground beside a white Mitsubishi pick-up van, the PPRO stated.
“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 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.” PPRO narrated.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in the State, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, has condemned the heinous act, describing jungle justice as a grave criminal offence that has no place in a civilized society.
He 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 CP further 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.
He maintained that the Akwa Ibom State Police Command remained 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.
