The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has launched a manhunt for the killers of a woman, Unwana Okon, who was murdered in Oruk Anam Local Government Area. Police say she lived in Ndot Village and was invited by an unidentified caller to Mbiaikot Village to buy Afang leaves. She accepted the invitation and later was found dead. Her mobile phone and an undisclosed sum of money were also taken.
Her brother reported the matter to police at about 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, November 1, 2026. Commissioner of Police Baba Azare ordered a comprehensive investigation and moved the case from the divisional headquarters to the command’s Violence Crime Response Unit.
What the Police Statement Says and What Is Not Yet Known (A Manhunt Means an Active Search for People Not Yet Identified)
The statement gives the broad facts: the call, the village, the discovery of the body and the stolen items. It does not say who made the call, how the woman died, how long she was missing or whether any suspect has been identified. The command also said it would use every available resource to find those responsible, and it urged residents of Oruk Anam and nearby communities to report suspicious movements.
Because no arrest has been made, no one has been accused in a way a court can test. People should avoid guessing who was behind the call. Rumours can lead to false accusations and, in some communities, to violence against innocent people.
A Method That Keeps Recurring: Earlier Cases of Victims Called to a Chosen Spot (A Pretext Is a False Reason Used to Hide the Real Purpose)
Police in several states have recorded similar tactics. In Enugu, a 30-year-old man was arrested over alleged rape, robbery and sextortion involving women he lured to isolated places, with one victim allegedly lured on Facebook under a false name. Police said that case involved a pretext of doing a business transaction.
In Anambra in August, police arrested three men over the killing of a 56-year-old land developer. The prime suspect allegedly hired two others to kill him to hide a fraudulent land deal. In 2024, gunmen reportedly lured people to a plot of land in Anambra under the pretext of buying it, then killed three and injured five. These cases differ in motive, but the same trick appears again and again: a stranger offers a deal and picks the place.
Why Traders Are Easy Targets: Open Markets, Cash and Trust in a Stranger’s Voice (Vulnerability Means Being Easy to Harm)
Small traders work by saying yes to customers. A trader cannot afford to turn down every unknown buyer, especially one offering to buy goods in bulk. A buyer who sounds genuine and wants a quick sale can persuade someone to travel far from home.
Many traders also carry cash or phones, and a villager may travel alone to another community. Rural roads are often quiet, with few cameras and poor phone signals. Attackers know that, and they can pick a time and place that works for them. A woman who trusts a caller is not at fault. The fault lies with the person who planned the attack.
A Family’s Loss and a Community’s Fear: The Costs of One Killing
Her family has lost a sister and a breadwinner, and her community has lost a neighbour. The brother who reported the case now carries the burden of grief and waiting for answers.
The wider cost reaches the country. Traders in markets across Nigeria may now fear unfamiliar phone calls, and fewer may travel to meet buyers. That hurts local trade, food supply and incomes, especially for women who dominate small-scale selling. Violent crime also adds to fear and mistrust, and puts more pressure on stretched police units.
Solving the Case: Phone Records, Witnesses and Community Tips (Digital Evidence Means Data From Phones and Networks)
Police have clear leads to follow. The victim’s brother says an unidentified caller phoned her. Network records can show the number, the time of the call and the cell towers used. Her missing phone may also be traced if it is switched on. The police request for community tips could help find anyone who saw her on the road or at the village.
Residents who know of anyone who suddenly came into money, or of unfamiliar people in the area that day, can share that information with the police. Those who report should do so through official channels, not through public accusations.
Staying Safer When Business Calls: Simple Habits for Traders and Faster Help From the State
Traders can protect themselves with simple habits. They can tell a family member where they are going and who they are meeting, share their location from the phone, and arrange to meet new buyers in public places. A buyer who insists on a remote location or on secrecy is a warning sign. Traders can also agree on a check-in time with a relative.
Police and local leaders can support this by publishing alert numbers, strengthening patrols on lonely roads and teaching the public how such lures work. Mobile networks can help by speeding up responses to police requests for call data. Market associations can also keep a simple record of known buyers.
Answers Owed to a Family: Our Reading of a Killing That Should Not Stay Unsolved
We offer our sympathy to the family and community of Unwana Okon. Her death shows how a simple phone call can become a deadly trap.
We cannot say who is responsible, and we urge the public not to guess. The police have moved the case to a specialised unit, which is a promising step. What matters now is results.
We urge the Akwa Ibom police to share progress when they can, and to protect witnesses who come forward. We also urge traders to look out for one another. A community that watches over its own can make such traps harder to set. Justice for her will be measured by an arrest and a fair trial.
Published by Ejoh Caleb
