The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has begun a full-scale investigation and manhunt for suspected rustlers who attacked a herder in Etoi village, Uyo Local Government Area, on Thursday, September 11, 2025.
According to the command’s spokesperson, Timfon John, officers received a distress call around 5:30 p.m. reporting that a herder had been held hostage and one of his cows slaughtered in the bush.
Police operatives mobilized to the scene, but the suspects fled upon sighting them, abandoning six sacks of cow meat.
The herder, who hails from Jada Local Government Area of Adamawa State, managed to escape with the rest of his herd.
The recovered meat was later identified by Prince Ahmed Aliyu, Secretary of the Cattle Dealers Association of Akwa Ibom State, as belonging to Alhaji Siddiki Makaka, also from Jada LGA.
The meat has since been returned to its rightful owner.
John assured that discreet investigations are ongoing to apprehend the perpetrators.
She reaffirmed the command’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property, urging members of the public to provide any useful information.
This incident follows recent security operations in the state.
On August 31, police raided a suspected cult hideout in Ikot Obio Ekpong village, Etim Ekpo LGA, arresting two suspects and recovering three locally-made pistols.
Previous raids had led to the seizure of firearms, charms, and even a human skull, as authorities intensify their crackdown on cultism and violent crime in Akwa Ibom.