The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has launched a manhunt for unidentified suspects responsible for the alleged murder of a woman identified as Unwana Okon in Oruk Anam Local Government Area of the state. The victim, a resident of Ndot Village, was reportedly lured to Mbiaikot Village after receiving a telephone call from an unidentified individual who claimed to be interested in purchasing Afang leaves. According to the police, Okon honoured the invitation but was subsequently found dead, while her mobile telephone and an undisclosed amount of money were reportedly stolen. The incident was reported to security authorities on Sunday, November 1, 2026, prompting an investigation aimed at identifying and apprehending those involved in the killing.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Deputy Superintendent of Police Timfon John, confirmed the incident in a statement issued in Uyo on Sunday. She disclosed that the matter was reported at approximately 3:30 p.m. by the victim’s brother, identified simply as Eno. According to the account presented to investigators, Okon had received a call from an unknown person requesting that she travel to Mbiaikot Village for what appeared to be a legitimate commercial transaction involving Afang leaves. The woman reportedly accepted the invitation and proceeded to the location. However, the transaction allegedly became the circumstances surrounding her death, with the person or persons responsible yet to be identified.
Afang leaves are commonly traded in markets and communities across Akwa Ibom and neighbouring states.
Police said the circumstances surrounding the victim’s final movements were being examined as part of efforts to establish how the incident occurred. The alleged invitation to purchase Afang leaves has become an important element of the investigation because it appears to have provided the reason for Okon to travel from her community to another village. Afang leaves are widely used in traditional meals, particularly Afang soup, and their sale provides income for many traders in Akwa Ibom and other parts of southern Nigeria. The apparently ordinary nature of the proposed transaction has raised concerns about how commercial arrangements can be exploited by criminals. Investigators have not publicly identified the caller or established whether the invitation was specifically designed to facilitate the killing.
The police spokesperson further disclosed that the victim’s mobile phone and an undisclosed sum of money were missing after her death. This discovery has raised the possibility that the killing may have involved theft or another criminal objective, although authorities have not formally established a motive. Investigators are expected to examine the circumstances of the missing property alongside other evidence to determine whether the attackers intended to rob the victim or whether other factors contributed to the crime. The police have not released details of the injuries sustained, the precise location where her body was discovered or the results of any forensic examination. Those details remain important to establishing an accurate account of what happened.
Police investigators have begun efforts to identify suspects and establish the circumstances surrounding the woman’s death.
Following the report, the Commissioner of Police in Akwa Ibom State, Baba Mohammed Azare, ordered a comprehensive investigation into the incident. The commissioner also directed that the case be transferred from the Divisional Police Headquarters to the Command’s Violence Crime Response Unit for specialised handling. According to the police, the decision was intended to ensure a coordinated investigation involving officers equipped to handle serious violent crimes. The unit has been tasked with gathering evidence, identifying potential suspects and pursuing leads that may help establish responsibility for the killing. The commissioner also directed investigators to pursue the arrest and prosecution of anyone found culpable.
The Akwa Ibom State Police Command condemned the killing and assured residents that available operational and investigative resources would be deployed to track down those responsible. Police authorities said the death of Unwana Okon was being treated as a serious criminal matter requiring urgent attention. The command also emphasised its responsibility to protect lives and property while maintaining public confidence in law enforcement. Although officers have commenced investigations, the police have not announced any arrests in connection with the case. The identity, number and whereabouts of the suspected perpetrators remain unknown, and the investigation is expected to determine whether more than one person participated in the alleged crime.
The police urged residents of Oruk Anam Local Government Area and neighbouring communities to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements or activities that might assist investigators. Residents with credible information about the victim’s movements, the telephone invitation or individuals connected to the incident were encouraged to contact the nearest police station or use the command’s established communication channels. Investigators are seeking information that could help reconstruct the events leading to Okon’s death and identify those responsible. Members of the public were also advised to avoid spreading unverified claims that could mislead investigators or expose innocent people to suspicion. The command stressed that cooperation between residents and law enforcement agencies would be important in resolving the case.
The incident has also drawn attention to the safety challenges faced by people who travel between communities for legitimate commercial transactions. Rural traders frequently depend on telephone arrangements, personal contacts and informal business networks to connect buyers and sellers of agricultural products. Such transactions are important to local economies, particularly where farming and small-scale trading provide essential household income. However, unfamiliar invitations may create personal safety risks when the identity of a prospective buyer cannot be established. The circumstances reported in Okon’s case highlight the importance of verifying unfamiliar contacts, informing trusted relatives of travel plans and arranging transactions in familiar public locations where practicable. These precautions cannot eliminate crime, and responsibility for the killing rests with those who committed it.
The case comes against the background of previous criminal investigations in Akwa Ibom involving allegations that victims were deceived into attending meetings or travelling to unfamiliar locations. In 2021, the killing of job seeker Iniubong Umoren attracted nationwide attention after she was lured to what she believed was a job opportunity. That earlier case led to public discussions about personal safety, violence against women and the misuse of seemingly legitimate invitations to target victims. Although the circumstances of the two incidents are different and no connection has been established, both demonstrate why investigators must carefully examine communications and arrangements preceding an alleged crime. The latest investigation will require evidence specific to Okon’s death rather than assumptions based on earlier cases.
The killing also raises questions about the effectiveness of community-level security arrangements, particularly in areas where residents regularly travel between villages for trading, farming and family activities. Cooperation among local leaders, community members and security agencies can assist investigations by helping authorities identify unusual movements and potential witnesses. However, police investigations must remain evidence-based, and residents should avoid confrontations, mob action or accusations unsupported by verified information. Anyone who may have witnessed relevant events should provide details directly to investigators rather than attempting to identify or punish suspects independently. The police have not disclosed whether any eyewitness has come forward or whether the missing telephone has been recovered.
As of November 2, 2026, the Akwa Ibom State Police Command has confirmed the death of Unwana Okon and launched a manhunt for the unidentified individuals suspected of killing her after an invitation involving the sale of Afang leaves. Commissioner Baba Mohammed Azare has directed the Violence Crime Response Unit to conduct a specialised investigation, while residents have been urged to assist with credible information. No suspect has been publicly identified or arrested in the reports reviewed, and the motive for the killing remains under investigation. For the victim’s family, the immediate concern is establishing the circumstances of her death and ensuring that those responsible are brought before the law. Further developments are expected to depend on the evidence gathered and the progress of the police investigation.
