The Nigeria Police Force in Akwa Ibom State has apprehended two individuals, Wisdom Effiong and Yakub Abdullah, in connection with a series of alleged machete attacks and robberies targeting women in Uyo. According to the police, the arrest was made following a public appeal for victims to come forward and report the incidents. The suspects, aged 27 and of unspecified age respectively, were accused of using a machete to attack and rob women in different parts of the city.
The police received information and reports about the alleged attacks circulated on social media, which led to the arrest of Mr. Effiong, a resident of Ikot Okubo Village, Uyo Local Government Area. He was said to have used a machete to attack and rob women in different parts of the city. The police also arrested Mr. Abdullah, who allegedly received some of the items reportedly stolen during the attacks. The command disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday by its spokesperson, Timfon John, a deputy superintendent of police.
Preliminary investigation indicated that the stolen items were handed over to Mr. Abdullah by Mr. Effiong. Items recovered from the suspects include a machete, a woman’s handbag, a Tecno POP 5 Android phone, an iPhone 11, a Remi Android phone, and three power banks. The police said seven women have so far identified Mr. Effiong as the person who allegedly attacked and robbed them. The command said investigations were continuing to establish the full extent of the suspects’ involvement and identify other possible victims or accomplices.
The police have appealed to residents who may have been attacked or robbed in connection with the incidents to report to the Police Public Relations Unit at the command or the nearest police station. Additional reports would help investigators identify more victims and strengthen the ongoing investigation. The police said the suspects remain in police custody and will be charged to court after the conclusion of investigations.
The Commissioner of Police in Akwa Ibom, Baba Azare, thanked members of the public for providing information that assisted in the arrests. He also urged residents to promptly report suspicious activities and criminal incidents to the police. On Thursday morning, the police command called on victims of alleged machete attacks in Uyo to make a formal report to the police after information on the attack circulated on social media.
According to the police, Mr. Effiong is from Odukpani Local Government Area of Cross River State. The police are yet to provide further details about Mr. Abdullah. The incidents have raised concerns about the security situation in Uyo, a major city in Akwa Ibom State. The police command has assured residents that it is working to ensure that the suspects are brought to justice.
The police command’s swift response to the incidents has been commended by residents, who had expressed fears about the rising cases of machete attacks and robberies in the city. The arrest of the two suspects is seen as a major breakthrough in the investigation, and residents are hopeful that it will lead to a reduction in the incidents. The police have promised to continue to work tirelessly to ensure the safety of residents in Akwa Ibom State.
Key points
- The Nigeria Police Force in Akwa Ibom State arrested two men for alleged machete attacks and robberies targeting women in Uyo.
- The suspects, Wisdom Effiong and Yakub Abdullah, were accused of using a machete to attack and rob women in different parts of the city.
- The police recovered several items from the suspects, including a machete, handbags, and phones.
