The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested a 22-year-old man in connection with the mob assault and attempted lynching of two women along Ring Road 3 in Uyo, the state capital.
Gatekeepers News reports that the command described the incident as a barbaric act of “jungle justice” and warned that anyone involved in mob violence, torture, or extrajudicial attacks would face prosecution.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, said the incident occurred around 9:45 a.m. when an angry mob allegedly stripped the women naked, assaulted them, and attempted to lynch them over allegations that had not been verified by lawful authorities.
According to the statement, the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Health, Ekem John, witnessed the attack while on his way to work and immediately alerted security operatives after noticing that one of the victims had sustained severe injuries and was bleeding heavily.
Police operatives were said to have swiftly responded to the scene, dispersed the mob, and rescued the victims before taking them to a medical facility for treatment. The command added that both women are currently responding positively to treatment.
The police further disclosed that a suspect from Ikot Ekwere in Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area was arrested at the scene for allegedly inciting the mob and calling for the execution of the women.
Commissioner of Police, Baba Azare, has since ordered a full-scale manhunt for other individuals connected to the attack.
Azare warned that the state would not be allowed to descend into lawlessness, stressing that no allegation justified public humiliation, torture, or attempted murder.
“He reiterated that every suspect remains innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction,” the statement said, while urging residents to report suspected offenders to security agencies rather than taking the law into their own hands.
The command also commended the intervention of the health commissioner, noting that his swift action helped save the lives of the victims.
Police reaffirmed their commitment to protecting lives and property while maintaining law and order across the state.
