The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has launched a manhunt for the killers of a woman, Unwana Okon, who was allegedly lured to a village in Oruk Anam Local Government Area of the state and murdered.

Okon, a resident of Ndot Village, was reportedly invited to Mbiaikot Village under the pretext of buying Afang leaves before she was killed by unidentified assailants.

The State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, disclosed this in a statement issued in Uyo on Sunday.

According to the police, the incident was reported at about 3:30pm on November 1, 2026, by the victim’s brother, identified as Eno.

John said Eno informed the police that his sister had received a telephone call from an unidentified individual inviting her to Mbiaikot Village under the guise of purchasing Afang leaves.

She said, “The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has commenced an intensive investigation and launched a manhunt for the perpetrator(s) of the gruesome murder of one Unwana Okon, a female resident of Ndot Village, Oruk Anam Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.

“The incident was reported on Sunday, November 1, 2026, at about 1530 hours, by one Eno, who informed the police that his sister, Unwana Okon, had received a telephone call from an unidentified individual inviting her to Mbiaikot Village under the pretext of purchasing Afang leaves.”

The police said Okon honoured the invitation but was later found dead. Her mobile phone and an undisclosed amount of money were also reportedly taken by the assailants.

Following the incident, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Baba Azare, ordered a comprehensive investigation to identify and apprehend those responsible.

John added that the commissioner had directed the immediate transfer of the case from the Divisional Police Headquarters to the command’s Violence Crime Response Unit for a specialised investigation.

“The Commissioner of Police has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the unfortunate incident and directed that the case be transferred immediately from the Divisional Police Headquarters to the command’s Violence Crime Response Unit for a thorough, specialised and coordinated investigation, with a view to ensuring the swift identification, arrest and prosecution of all persons found culpable,” the statement read.

The command condemned the killing and assured residents that all operational and investigative resources would be deployed to ensure the arrest of the perpetrators.

It also urged residents of Oruk Anam and neighbouring communities to remain vigilant and provide credible information that could assist investigators.

The police encouraged anyone with relevant information about the incident to report to the nearest police station or contact the command through its established communication channels.

The command reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and property, promising not to relent in its efforts to tackle criminal activities across the state.

The Anambra State Police Command has rescued a 10-year-old boy who reportedly lost his way home after going out to play in Okpoko, Ogbaru Local Government Area of the state.

The boy, identified as Chinecherem Onuwasoanya, is currently in police custody as efforts are being made to locate his parents or guardians and reunite him with his family.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday.

Ikenga said operatives attached to the Okpoko Police Division rescued the child on the afternoon of November 1, 2026, after a concerned resident found him wandering around the community.

According to the police spokesman, preliminary interaction with the boy revealed that he had left home to play but subsequently became unable to find his way back or locate his family members.

The statement added that the child identified Ebenebe, Anambra State, as his place of origin.

“The Anambra State Police Command has rescued a 10-year-old boy, identified as Chinecherem Onuwasoanya, who lost his way home after going out to play in Okpoko, Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State.

“The rescue was carried out by operatives attached to Okpoko Police Division in the afternoon of November 1, 2026.

“Preliminary interaction with the child revealed that he had left home to play but subsequently became unable to find his way back or locate his family members,” the statement read.

The police said the Good Samaritan who found the boy promptly took him to the Okpoko Police Division for assistance.

It added that efforts had commenced to establish contact with his parents or guardians to facilitate his safe return home.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, CP Nnanna Ama, commended the resident for his prompt intervention and responsible conduct.

Ama also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and support efforts to protect children and other vulnerable persons in society.

He advised parents and guardians to ensure adequate supervision of their children and take necessary precautions to make them easily identifiable and traceable if they become separated from their families.

The command appealed to anyone with useful information about the boy’s parents or guardians to contact the Okpoko Police Division or the Anambra State Police Command.

In a related development, the Lagos State Police Command in October foiled a suspected human trafficking operation in Badagry and rescued three young girls allegedly being trafficked.

The Force Public Relations Officer, Ani Iniedu, said police operatives intercepted a commercial motorcycle conveying the girls along Owode Apa Road, Badagry, during a routine patrol.

According to him, preliminary interrogation revealed that the girls were suspected victims of human trafficking.

The girls were subsequently rescued and debriefed, while efforts were ongoing to track down and apprehend the suspected traffickers.

A man identified as Lekan Oyebamiji has been arrested by the Osun State Police Command for allegedly killing his neighbour, Samson Gabriel, with a machete following a disagreement over money in Akinlalu community.

The incident reportedly occurred on Saturday, leaving residents of the community in shock and triggering tension among people living around the scene.

Some residents were said to have fled their homes for fear of being arrested by the police over the killing.

A resident, Tayo Rasheed, told PUNCH that Oyebamiji allegedly attacked Gabriel with a machete during an argument believed to have been caused by a financial disagreement.

According to Rasheed, the suspect allegedly reached for his cutlass during the argument and inflicted multiple injuries on the deceased.

“Oyebamiji macheted Gabriel to death. Gabriel was a farmer. They had a disagreement but I may not be able to state the details of what led to it,” he said.

He added that the two men were neighbours and that several people living close to them had abandoned their homes to avoid possible police questioning.

Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Osun State Police Command, Abiodun Ojelabi, said the suspect had been arrested and an investigation had commenced.

Ojelabi, who spoke with PUNCH on Sunday, confirmed that the killing followed an argument over money between the two neighbours.

“There was an argument over money between them. It was during the disagreement that Lekan Oyebamiji took his machete and attacked Samson Gabriel.

“The two men are neighbours. The deceased is identified as Samson Gabriel. The suspect is Lekan Oyebamiji. Gabriel was macheted to death and the incident occurred on Saturday.

The suspect has been arrested. Investigation is still ongoing,” he said.

The police spokesperson further disclosed that the corpse would be examined and an autopsy conducted to establish the cause of death.

The incident comes amid another reported death involving a farm worker in Osun State.

Earlier, a Benue-born man identified simply as Saviour, who worked as a farmhand in Orile-Owu, was reportedly found hanging from a tree in the Alagbede area of the community.

The police had said an investigation was underway to establish the circumstances surrounding his death.