The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested four suspects in connection with the gruesome mob killing of 21-year-old Emmanuel Effiong in Uyo.
Effiong was allegedly lynched after he was accused of stealing chickens and eggs from a poultry farm in the Mbak 4 community of Uyo Local Government Area.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, disclosed that the victim was beaten with sticks and machetes by a mob until he died before his body was secretly buried in a shallow grave in a nearby forest.
According to the police spokesperson, investigations, aided by a viral video of the assault, led to the arrest of four suspects identified as David Okon, also known as Ita, 45; Joseph Gibson, 39; Essien Solomon, 23; and Imoh Asuquo, 28.
«”In the disturbing footage, the victim was seen lying helpless in a pool of blood with his hands and legs tied before being dragged along the ground beside a white Mitsubishi pick-up van,” DSP John said.»
She added that the suspects have confessed to their involvement in the crime and subsequently led investigators to the shallow grave where the victim was buried. The remains have since been exhumed and deposited at a mortuary for further examination.
The police also recovered a white Mitsubishi pick-up van, a wheelbarrow, and weapons allegedly used in carrying out the attack.
The Akwa Ibom State Police Command condemned the act of jungle justice, warning that anyone found to have participated in or aided mob violence would be identified, arrested, and prosecuted in accordance with the law.