The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has launched a manhunt for the killers of a woman, Unwana Okon, who was allegedly lured to a village in Oruk Anam Local Government Area of the state and murdered.
Okon, a resident of Ndot Village, was reportedly invited to Mbiaikot Village by an unidentified person under the pretext of buying afang leaves.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Timfon John, disclosed this in a statement issued in Uyo on Sunday.
According to John, the incident was reported to the police at about 3.30pm on November 1, 2026, by the victim’s brother, identified as Eno.
She said Eno informed the police that his sister had received a telephone call from an unidentified individual inviting her to Mbiaikot Village to sell afang leaves.
The police spokesperson said Okon honoured the invitation but was later found dead, adding that her mobile phone and an undisclosed sum of money were taken by the assailants.
Following the incident, the state Commissioner of Police, Baba Azare, ordered a comprehensive investigation into the murder.
John said the commissioner also directed that the case be transferred from the Divisional Police Headquarters to the command’s Violence Crime Response Unit for a specialised investigation.
According to her, the directive was aimed at ensuring the swift identification, arrest and prosecution of those responsible for the killing.
The command condemned the incident, assuring residents that it would deploy all available operational and investigative resources to apprehend the perpetrators.
It also urged residents of Oruk Anam and neighbouring communities to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements or individuals to the police.
The command further appealed to anyone with credible information that could assist the investigation to contact the nearest police station or reach the command through its established communication channels.
It reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and property and ridding the state of criminal elements.
