Health commissioner rescues women from mob attack
The swift intervention of the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Health, Dr Ekem Emmanuel John, saved two women from being lynched by an irate mob in Uyo after they were stripped naked and brutally assaulted along Ring Road 3.
The Akwa Ibom State Police Command said the disturbing incident occurred on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at about 9:45 am, when a mob attacked the women over allegations yet to be verified by lawful authorities.
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Etim Ekpimah
The swift intervention of the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Health, Dr Ekem Emmanuel John, saved two women from being lynched by an irate mob in Uyo after they were stripped naked and brutally assaulted along Ring Road 3.
The Akwa Ibom State Police Command said the disturbing incident occurred on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at about 9:45 am, when a mob attacked the women over allegations yet to be verified by lawful authorities.
According to the Police, Dr John, who witnessed the scene while on his way to work, immediately alerted security operatives after noticing that one of the victims had sustained severe injuries and was bleeding profusely.
Police operatives were subsequently deployed to the scene, where they dispersed the crowd, rescued the women from imminent danger and rushed them to the hospital for treatment.
The Command disclosed that the victims were responding positively to medical care.
Condemning the attack, the Police described the incident as barbaric, degrading and unlawful, noting that it amounted to a direct assault on human dignity and the rule of law.
The Police also warned residents against engaging in mob action, jungle justice, torture or any form of extrajudicial violence.
Following preliminary investigations and intelligence-driven operations, the Police arrested one suspect, identified as Emediong Robert, 22, from Ikot Ekwere in Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area.
The suspect was alleged to have actively incited the mob and called for the execution of the victims during the attack.
The Commissioner of Police in Akwa Ibom State, Baba Mohammed Azare, ordered a comprehensive manhunt for other persons connected with the incident.
He vowed that all perpetrators, sponsors and accomplices involved in the attempted mob killing would be identified, arrested and prosecuted.
Azare stressed that Akwa Ibom would not be turned into a lawless society where mobs brutalise citizens at will.
He warned that the Command would apply the full weight of the law against individuals engaging in acts capable of threatening public peace and security.
The police commissioner further emphasised that no allegation against any person justified public humiliation, torture, assault or attempted murder, adding that every suspect remained innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.
The command commended Dr John for his prompt intervention and sense of civic responsibility, stating that his swift action undoubtedly saved the lives of the victims.
The Police advised members of the public against taking the law into their hands and urged residents to report suspected offenders to the nearest police station or other relevant security agencies for proper investigation and prosecution.
The statement was signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, for the Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State Command.
