13th September 2025
The operatives of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command have recovered six sacks of cow meat after a manhunt against suspected rustlers in Etoi village, Uyo Local Government Area of the state.
The incident occurred on Thursday, September 11, 2025, according to a statement by the command’s Public Relations Officer, Timfon John, in Uyo on Saturday.
She hinted that the operatives received a distress call from a resident of the community at about 5:30 pm that faithful day, about a herder being held hostage and one of his cows slaughtered in the bush.
According to the command’s spokesperson, the operatives quickly mobilised to the scene, adding that the suspects fled upon sighting them, leading to the recovery of the meat in sacks.
The statement said, ”The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has launched a full-scale investigation and manhunt for a group of individuals involved in a conspiracy, assault, and stealing incident that occurred on September 11, 2025, in Etoi village, Uyo Local Government Area.
”At approximately 5:30 pm on Thursday, September 11, 2025, police received a distress call from a man (name withheld) in Etoi village. The caller reported that a herder was being held hostage in the bush and one of his cows had been killed by unknown persons.
”Upon receiving the information, Operatives were immediately dispatched to the scene. The suspects fled upon sighting the police, leaving behind six sacks of cow meat. The herder (name withheld) of Jada LGA in Adamawa State had managed to escape with the rest of his herd.”
She said the herder who hailed from Jada Local Government Area of Adamawa State has since been identified and the recovered meat handed over to him.
John added, “When Prince Ahmed Aliyu, the Secretary to the Cattle Dealers Association of Akwa Ibom State, was contacted, he identified the slaughtered cow as belonging to Alhaji Siddiki Makaka, who also hails from Jada LGA, Adamawa State.
”The six sacks of recovered meat have since been handed over to the owner. ”
While noting that a discreet investigation is ongoing to ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice, the PPRO assured that the command is committed to protecting the lives and property of all citizens and urged anyone with information related to this incident to come forward.
They recovered three locally-made pistols during the intelligence-led operation. Preliminary investigations were conducted to apprehend other suspects linked to the illegal firearms. This followed previous arrests of suspected cultists, where firearms, charms, and a human skull were seized. The police remained committed to combating cultism and ensuring public safety in the state.
0 Comments