Akaninyene Ignatius Eshiet, an alleged serial killer, has been remanded at the Afokang Custodial Centre following his arraignment before a Magistrate Court in Calabar over the murder of two persons in Odukpani Local Government Area of Cross River State.
Details of the Alleged Murders
Eshiet is accused of killing Mr Okon Bassey Okon Nsa of Ukim Ita community and Mr Okokon Akpan Eshiet of Akai Ibonda. The case, The State vs. Akaninyene, came up before Magistrate Court 10 and was adjourned to August 12, 2026, for transfer to the High Court, which has jurisdiction over murder cases.
It was observed that while the principal suspect was remanded, his brother, Nkereuwem Eshiet, who was also brought to court in police custody, was not arraigned. Instead, he was returned to police detention for reasons not disclosed by the authorities.
Community Concerns and Reactions
The development has triggered concern among traditional leaders and residents of the affected communities, who also questioned the release of Uduak Essien, the suspect’s alleged girlfriend and an earlier co-suspect in the case. The residents argued that releasing Essien while investigations were still ongoing could undermine efforts to unravel the circumstances surrounding the killings and expose members of the community to further danger.
Speaking on behalf of the community, the Village Head of Ukim Ita, Chief Samuel Ekpe Ita, expressed concern over the decision, claiming that the principal suspect had initially alleged that his girlfriend assisted him in carrying out the crimes. He also questioned why Nkereuwem, whom he alleged was apprehended with a firearm at the crime scene, had not been arraigned alongside his brother, adding that the police owed the community an explanation after previously indicating that he was no longer in custody.
Demand for Thorough Investigation
Ekpe maintained that the community was not seeking to prejudice the investigation but wanted everyone with possible links to the case to be thoroughly investigated so that justice would be served and innocent persons cleared through due process. The community leader further urged the police to be more transparent in handling the case in order to reassure residents that the investigation was being conducted professionally and without bias.
Responding to the concerns, the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Sunday Eitokpa, said Uduak Essien was released after investigators found no evidence linking her to the alleged murders. According to him, the principal suspect’s confessional statement exonerated Essien, while independent investigations also failed to establish any basis for her continued detention.
Police Explanation and Appeal
“The suspect’s alleged girlfriend, Uduak Essien, who was initially arrested alongside the principal suspect on suspicion of conspiracy, has since been released. Following a thorough investigation, the findings and the confessional statement of the principal suspect exonerated her from the earlier allegations. Consequently, she was released,” Eitokpa said. He also denied knowledge of the alleged N15 million offer, stressing that the command was handling the case strictly in accordance with the law.
Despite the police explanation, residents appealed to the Inspector-General of Police, the Cross River State Government and other relevant authorities to ensure that investigations are pursued to a logical conclusion and that anyone found culpable is prosecuted in accordance with the law.
