Police arrest two over Uyo machete attacks, robberies

Etim Ekpimah
The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested two suspects over alleged machete attacks and robberies targeting women in Uyo, recovering a machete and several suspected stolen items.
The suspects are 27-year-old Wisdom Effiong, a native of Odukpani Local Government Area of Cross River State and resident of Ikot Okubo Village, Uyo Local Government Area, and Yakub Abdullah ‘M’ of Udi Street, Uyo.
Effiong was arrested following information and reports circulated on social media concerning a series of alleged attacks and robberies.
During the investigation, police also arrested Abdullah, who is alleged to have received some of the items reportedly stolen during the attacks. Preliminary investigations indicate that the items were handed over to him by Effiong.
Items recovered include a machete, a woman’s handbag, a Tecno Pop 5 Android phone, an iPhone 11, a Redmi Android phone and three power banks.
The command said seven women had so far identified Effiong as the person who allegedly attacked and robbed them.
It added that investigation was ongoing to establish the full extent of the suspects’ involvement and identify other possible victims or accomplices.
The police urged anyone who may have been attacked or robbed in connection with the incidents to come forward and report to the Police Public Relations Unit of the Akwa Ibom State Command or the nearest police station.
The command said such reports would assist investigators in identifying additional victims and strengthening the ongoing investigation.
The suspects remain in police custody and will be charged in court after the conclusion of the investigation.
The Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State Command, appreciated members of the public for providing information that led to the suspects’ arrest and urged residents to continue to report suspicious activities and criminal incidents promptly.