Police arrest two suspects over alleged murder of 26-year-old man in Akwa Ibom

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested two suspects in connection with the alleged conspiracy and murder of a 26-year-old man, Nsikak Joshua, in Oboetim Ikot Ekong Village, Nsit Ibom Local Government Area of the state.

The Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, disclosed this in a statement issued in Uyo on Monday.

According to John, the incident was reported at the police station on July 14, 2026, by the deceased’s father, 52-year-old Mr Ekere.

The police spokesperson said the father 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 same village.

John said the complainant reported that on July 14, 2026, at about 8:40 a.m., the suspects allegedly brought the corpse of his son to his residence while armed with spades and forced him to identify where the body should be buried.

He added that the suspects allegedly dug a shallow grave within the compound, buried the deceased, and threatened the father against reporting the incident to the police.

“Upon receipt of the report, detectives commenced immediate investigation. Acting on credible intelligence, operatives arrested Otobong Nelson and Utibe Clement on July 17, 2026, at about 3:45 a.m.,” John stated.

He said during interrogation, Nelson allegedly confessed that the deceased was summoned to answer an allegation of threatening a neighbour with a machete.

According to the police, the suspect admitted ordering Utibe Clement, Victor Robert, and Inemesit Robert to assault Joshua with sticks, which allegedly led to his death.

The police added that Nelson also confessed that after the victim died, he and others allegedly moved the corpse to the deceased’s father’s compound and falsely claimed that Joshua had been knocked down by a hit-and-run vehicle.

They further alleged that the suspects discouraged the family from taking the body to the mortuary before burying it in a shallow grave within the compound.

Following police intervention, the remains of the deceased were exhumed and deposited at the morgue for preservation and autopsy.

DSP John said the Commissioner of Police had condemned the incident and directed that investigations be intensified to ensure the arrest of all other suspects still at large.