ODUKPANI – Palpable fear has gripped the rusty Ibonda community in Creek Town, Odukpani Local Government Area of Cross River State, following the arrest of two suspects in connection with the alleged gruesome murder and beheading of two persons.
The suspects, identified as Akaninyene Eretus, 40, and Uduak Essien, 35, have reportedly confessed to multiple killings in the area.
They are currently being held at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Diamond Hill, Calabar, while a search party have been raised by the police to continue with the investigation into the disturbing incident.
The arrests were allegedly ensued following a complaint lodged at the Creek Town Police Post by one Mmawan Okon, who reported that his father, Mr. Okon Ikon, had gone missing under suspicious circumstances.
Confirming the development to newsmen in Calabar yesterday (Friday May 29, 2026), the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Cross River State Command, ASP Sunday Eitokpah, disclosed that, traditional inquiries conducted by the victim’s family allegedly pointed to foul play and revealed that the missing man had been murdered and buried in a nearby bush.
According to the police spokesman, a combined team of police operatives, military personnel and community youths immediately launched a search operation in the area, that led to the arrest of the principal suspect who was reportedly hiding inside the forest.
“During interrogation, the suspect led the search team to the spot where the severed head of the missing victim, Mr. Okon Ikon, was recovered,” Eitokpah stated.
He further disclosed that continued search efforts led to the discovery of the remains of another victim, identified simply as Mr. Okonkon, buried in a separate shallow grave within the same forest.
The PPRO further said, investigations were ongoing to unravel the remote causes surrounding the killings and determine the degree of involvement of the suspects.
Meanwhile, shocking revelations emerging from the investigation have heightened fears among residents, as community sources alleged that, the principal suspect, Akaninyene is an indigene of Obot Akara LGA in Akwa Ibom State, who has confessed to involvement in several mysterious disappearances of persons and killings in the community.
According to sources, the suspect allegedly admitted to killing of about 30 persons who had gone missing in the area over time without trace.
He was also alleged to have confessed that, the latest killing, which eventually exposed the crime occurred on Tuesday May 26, 2026 with the assistance of the female suspect who reportedly restrained the victim during the gruesome murder.
The latest discoveries have thrown Ibonda community and neighbouring settlements into panic, with residents calling on security agencies to intensify investigations and beef up security presence in the area to forestall further occurrences.
