From Kenechukwu Obiajuru, Yenagoa
A tragic incident has thrown the quiet community of Ikot Inyang village in Oruk Anam Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State into mourning, following the gruesome murder of a septuagenarian woman by her own son.
The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of a man identified as Alexander Peter, who allegedly hacked his 71-year-old mother, Mrs. Atiny Peter, to death with a machete in their family compound.
The horrific act, which occurred on Monday, June 10, 2025, was confirmed by the Commissioner of Police in the state, Baba Azare, during a press briefing held on Thursday at the command headquarters in Ikot Akpan Abia, Uyo.
CP Azare described the incident as “deeply disturbing and inhuman,” adding that the suspect was promptly apprehended by operatives of the command following a tip-off from concerned residents of the community.
“On June 10, 2025, operatives of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command arrested one Alexander Peter of Ikot Inyang village in connection with the brutal killing of his 71-year-old mother, Mrs. Atiny Peter. The suspect allegedly used a machete to inflict fatal injuries on the deceased, leading to her untimely death,” Azare disclosed.
He noted that the motive behind the heinous crime is still unclear, but investigations are currently ongoing to unravel the circumstances that led to the incident.
While condemning the act, the police boss assured the public that justice would be served, and that the suspect will be arraigned in court as soon as investigations are concluded.
The remains of the deceased have been deposited at a mortuary in the area, while the community has continued to grapple with shock and disbelief over the tragic loss.
An eyewitness from the village who preferred anonymity said the suspect had been exhibiting signs of mental instability in recent times, but no formal diagnosis had been made prior to the incident. The source added that Alexander was seen fleeing the scene of the crime, prompting villagers to alert the police who tracked and arrested him within hours.
The Akwa Ibom State Police Command urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious behaviour promptly, especially among individuals showing signs of mental distress or violent tendencies.
The case adds to a growing list of domestic violence incidents across the country, raising fresh concerns about mental health awareness, family support systems, and early intervention strategies.
