Two Arrested for Machete Attacks and Robberies in Uyo

The Nigeria Police Force in Akwa Ibom State has arrested two men over alleged machete attacks and robberies targeting women in Uyo.

The arrest happened less than 24 hours after the police asked victims of the machete attacks in Uyo to report to them.

The suspects are Wisdom Effiong, 27, and Yakub Abdullah. The police say Abdullah received some of the stolen items during the attacks.

This information came in a statement issued on Thursday by the police spokesperson, Timfon John, a deputy superintendent of police.

According to the statement, Mr Effiong, who is from Odukpani Local Government Area in Cross River State, was arrested after reports about the attacks spread on social media.

The police said Effiong lives in Ikot Okubo Village, Uyo Local Government Area. He allegedly used a machete to attack and rob women in different areas of the city.

"During the investigation, the police also arrested Yakub Abdullah of Udi Street, Uyo. He is accused of receiving some of the items stolen during the attacks," the statement said.

The police mentioned that early investigations showed that the stolen items were given to Abdullah by Effiong. Items recovered from the suspects include a machete, a woman’s handbag, a Tecno POP 5 Android phone, an iPhone 11, a Remi Android phone, and three power banks.

So far, seven women have identified Effiong as the person who allegedly attacked and robbed them. The police said they are continuing with the investigation to find out the full extent of the suspects' involvement and to identify other possible victims or accomplices.

The police are asking residents who may have been attacked or robbed to report to the Police Public Relations Unit at the command or to the nearest police station. They believe more reports will help them find other victims and strengthen the ongoing investigation.

The suspects are still in police custody and will be charged in court once investigations are complete.

The Commissioner of Police in Akwa Ibom, Baba Azare, thanked the public for providing information that helped with the arrests.

On Thursday morning, the police command urged victims of the machete attacks in Uyo to report formally to the police after details about the attacks spread online.

Mr Azare also asked residents to quickly report any suspicious activities or criminal incidents to the police.