…..Broken bottle attack claims 42-year-old man’s life as suspected reprisal sets traditional ruler’s residence, vehicle ablaze
By ABC News Nigeria
A bitter family disagreement over money has reportedly erupted into a deadly stabbing and a shocking arson attack in Essien Udim Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, leaving one person dead and a village head’s residence and vehicle destroyed by fire.
The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of seven suspects in connection with the incident, including the principal suspect accused of fatally stabbing a 42-year-old man during a dispute over the sharing of family funds.
The violence occurred at Ukana Mbak Ukot Village, Odoro Ikot Clan, on November 2, 2026, before the police received a distress call in the early hours of November 3.
According to preliminary police investigations, the crisis began when Ifiok Akpan, 42, reportedly disagreed with one Ukeme Jonah over the sharing of family funds.
What started as a disagreement allegedly escalated into a violent confrontation, during which Akpan reportedly attacked Jonah with a broken bottle, inflicting a deep wound on his abdomen.
Although the injured man was immediately rushed to a hospital for medical attention, he reportedly died from the injury.
But the tragedy did not end with his death.
In what police described as a subsequent development, the deceased’s corpse was taken to the compound of the Village Head, where some individuals allegedly embarked on a reprisal attack, setting the traditional leader’s residence and Toyota 4Runner vehicle ablaze.
The attack reportedly left the residence and vehicle extensively damaged, although the police said the actual extent of the destruction and the value of the property lost were yet to be established.
Moving swiftly to restore order and apprehend those responsible, police operatives tracked down and arrested the principal murder suspect, Ifiok Akpan, at his hideout.
In a follow-up operation at about 11:45 a.m. on November 3, operatives also arrested six other suspects allegedly linked to the burning of the Village Head’s residence and vehicle.
The additional suspects were identified as Godwin Sunday, 42; Francis Dominic, 28; Julius Archibong, 52; Kingsley Ukeme, 23; Paulinus Bede, 28; and Udeme Tommy, 40.
All six are reportedly indigenes of Ukana Mbak Ukot Village, Odoro Ikot Clan, in Essien Udim Local Government Area.
The police said the seven suspects are currently in custody as investigations continue to establish the individual roles played by each of them in the incident.
Meanwhile, the remains of the deceased have been deposited at a mortuary for autopsy.
Confirming the arrests in a press release dated November 10, 2026, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, disclosed that the Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, fsi, had ordered a thorough and discreet investigation into the circumstances surrounding the violence.
The police commissioner directed that all persons found culpable be brought to justice, while strongly condemning the resort to violence, jungle justice, arson and wanton destruction of property.
He warned residents against taking the law into their own hands, stressing that no disagreement, grievance or perceived injustice could justify murder or the destruction of another person’s property.
The command consequently appealed to residents to remain calm, maintain public peace and promptly report criminal activities to the nearest police station.
It also reassured the people of Akwa Ibom State of its determination to protect lives and property, warning that anyone found engaging in criminal activities would face the full weight of the law.
The statement was signed by DSP Timfon John, Police Public Relations Officer, Akwa Ibom State Command, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police.
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