The Akwa Ibom State Police Command says it has recovered six sacks of stolen cow meat and rescued a herder who was held hostage by suspected rustlers in Etoi village, Uyo Local Government Area.
The command’s spokesperson, Timfon John, confirmed the incident in a statement on Saturday, noting that the suspects fled on sighting operatives who were dispatched following a distress call.
“At approximately 5:30 pm on Thursday, September 11, 2025, police received a distress call from a man in Etoi village. The caller reported that a herder was being held hostage in the bush and one of his cows had been killed by unknown persons,” John said.
She explained that the herder, a native of Jada Local Government Area in Adamawa State, escaped with the rest of his herd, while the police recovered the meat abandoned by the fleeing suspects.
The six sacks of meat were later identified by Prince Ahmed Aliyu, Secretary to the Cattle Dealers Association of Akwa Ibom State, as belonging to Alhaji Siddiki Makaka, also from Jada LGA. “The six sacks of recovered meat have since been handed over to the owner,” John added.
The command said it had launched a full-scale investigation and manhunt for the culprits, assuring that those responsible would face justice. “The Akwa Ibom State Police Command is committed to protecting the lives and property of all citizens. We urge anyone with useful information on this incident to come forward,” John said.
The development comes just days after police raided a suspected cult hideout in Ikot Obio Ekpong village, Etim Ekpo LGA, where two men were arrested and three locally-made pistols recovered. The command reiterated its commitment to tackling crime across the state.
