By Ado Oyeyemi
The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has exhumed the body of a 26-year-old man, Nsikak Joshua, and arrested four suspects over his alleged murder in Nsit Ibom Local Government Area of the state.
The victim, a native of Oboetim Ikot Ekong Village, was allegedly beaten to death before his body was secretly buried in a shallow grave within his father’s compound.
The command’s spokesperson, DSP Timfon John, disclosed in a statement issued in Uyo on Tuesday that the incident was reported to the police on July 14, 2026, by the deceased’s 52-year-old father.
According to the police, the father alleged that his son was assaulted to death by Otobong Nelson, popularly known as “Efok Ikid,” alongside Inemesit Robert, Utibe Clement and Victor Robert, all residents of the same community.
He further claimed that the suspects brought the victim’s corpse to his residence with spades, compelled him to identify a place for burial, dug a shallow grave within the compound, buried the body and threatened him with dire consequences if he informed the police.
The statement said detectives immediately launched an investigation and, acting on credible intelligence, arrested two of the suspects, Otobong Nelson and Utibe Clement, on July 17. Subsequent investigations led to the arrest of the remaining suspects.
Police said Nelson allegedly confessed during interrogation that the deceased had been invited to answer allegations of threatening a neighbour with a machete.
He reportedly admitted ordering the other suspects to assault Joshua with sticks, an attack that allegedly resulted in the victim’s death.
Investigators also said the suspect confessed that after the victim died, they transported the body to his father’s residence and falsely claimed he had been killed in a hit-and-run accident.
The suspects allegedly persuaded the father not to deposit the body in a mortuary before burying it in a shallow grave within the family compound.
Following police intervention, the victim’s remains were exhumed and taken to a mortuary for preservation and autopsy.
Reacting to the incident, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Baba Azare, described the alleged killing as barbaric and unacceptable.
READ ALSO
- “I Am Running Into Debt” — Eniola Ajao Cries Out As YouTube Movie Gets Shadow-Banned
- Mercy Johnson Blasts Power Oil Over Use Of Her Image Years After Ambassadorial Deal Ended
- AFCON 2027Q: Super Eagles will not underrate Guinea-Bissau — Chelle
- MUSWEN Congratulates Yusuf Olaolu Ali, SAN, on Crescent University Honorary Doctorate
- 2027: Tompolo rallies Nasarawa for Tinubu, says reforms need consolidation
He assured residents that everyone found culpable, including anyone involved in the conspiracy, assault, murder, intimidation of witnesses or concealment of evidence, would be thoroughly investigated and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
