Police begin manhunt on suspected killers of farmer in A’Ibom

Isaac Tim, Uyo

Akwa Ibom state Police Command has begun an aggressive manhunt on hoodlums suspected to be cultists who murdered a middle-aged farmer identified as Itoro Jimmy Umanah from Udianga Enem in Etim Ekpo local government area of the state.

Sources in the community said the incident occurred last weekend by 10 am when the victim, his wife and three children were already asleep as the killers stormed the compound, called out the victim outside where they cut him to pieces, leaving the dismembered body in a pool of his blood.

The widow, Mrs Jimmy, while interacting with the Daily Sun in the community, said the suspected cultists entered their compound, called the late husband out and started cutting him with their machetes.

“They came at about 10:00 pm, my husband, who was tired after returning from work was sleeping at the veranda resting because of heat inside. They (the assailants) came, called my husband out.

“My husband shouted and raised the alarm, but no one came to his rescue, and suddenly his voice could not be heard again. At that point, I took my children and escaped into the bush behind our backyard.

“In the morning, neighbours arrived to see his dismembered body. I have three children, and the elderly is a final year in a monotechnic in Uyo,” she said.

A family member who preferred anonymity recalled that the deceased had been in a running battle over a parcel of land with his elder brother before the sad incident.

The Village Chairman, Chief Lawson Marcus Akpanowon said  the incident has reported to  Police Divisional Police station at Utu Etim Ekpo, headquarters of Etim Ekpo LGA.

He said the body of the victim was mutilated in such a way that the police allowed us the bury him.

“After securing Police consent, we buried the deceased.  The Police team had come to see the body cut into pieces, and we were asked to work in synergy and do some internal investigations.

Reacting to the incident, Police Public Relations Officer for Akwa Ibom, DSP Timfon John, said the command has declared a manhunt for the assailants.

“Investigation on the incident has commenced. I will update you before the d as day is over. Investigation is ongoing,” she said.