The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has made significant progress in tackling violent crime in Uyo with the arrest of two suspects involved in a series of machete attacks and robberies targeting women. The arrests were announced by the police spokesperson, DSP Timfon John, on October 8, 2026, just a day after victims were encouraged to report incidents to the authorities.

The primary suspect, Wisdom Effiong, aged 27, hails from Odukpani Local Government Area in Cross River State. He was apprehended following a surge of reports and information shared on social media regarding his alleged criminal activities. Effiong is accused of using a machete to attack and rob women across various locations in Uyo.

Alongside Effiong, the police also arrested Yakub Abdullah, who is believed to have received stolen items from Effiong. Abdullah, a resident of Udi Street in Uyo, was taken into custody as part of the ongoing investigation into the robberies. Preliminary findings suggest that he was in possession of some of the stolen goods, which included a range of electronics and personal items.

The police recovered several items during their investigation, including a machete, a woman's handbag, and multiple mobile phones, including a Tecno POP 5 and an iPhone 11. So far, seven women have identified Effiong as the individual responsible for their attacks, prompting the police to seek further information from the public.

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command is actively encouraging anyone who may have been a victim of similar attacks to come forward and report their experiences. Reports can be made to the Police Public Relations Unit or any nearby police station. This outreach aims to identify additional victims and strengthen the ongoing investigation into the suspects' activities.

The Commissioner of Police in Akwa Ibom has expressed gratitude to the community for their cooperation and assistance in providing information that led to the arrests. He reiterated the importance of public vigilance and urged residents to report any suspicious activities or criminal incidents to the police promptly.

Both suspects are currently in police custody and will face charges once the investigation concludes, as authorities work to ensure the safety of women in Uyo and restore public confidence in security measures.