Cross River mystery killer: I waited 27 years to revenge

•Victim’s mattress gave suspect away – Villager

By Evelyn Usman

For decades, Abanyama  community in Creek Town, Odukpani Local Government Area of Cross River State, was known as a peaceful riverine settlement where neighbours lived like one family. But that calm was shattered recently after the brutal murders of two prominent elders triggered panic, forcing many residents to abandon their homes and farms for fear of becoming the next victims.

The nightmare reportedly began on May 24, 2026, with the killing of 75-year-old Oko Okon, one of the elders of the community. Residents woke up to the shocking news that the elderly man had not only been murdered but also beheaded, with his head taken away by his assailant.

Before they could come to terms with the tragedy, another elder, 73-year-old Okon Akpan, was killed in a similar manner the following day. This time, his body was allegedly taken away, leaving behind only traces of blood in his compound.

The killings sent panic through the community.A resident who identified himself simply as Ekpeyong said:”When the first elder was killed, we thought it was an isolated incident. But when another elder was murdered the following day in almost the same manner, everybody became afraid. Every stranger became a suspect and every noise at night sent fear into our hearts.

“Many people abandoned their farms and relocated temporarily to neighbouring communities. We didn’t know who would be the next target.”

The mystery murder suspect

For days, nobody knew who was behind the killings. Rumours, as gathered, spread from one creek settlement to another about a serial killer stalking the community. There were even claims that more than 30 persons had fallen victim to the killer.

However, when operatives of the Cross River State Police Command eventually arrested a 49-year-old farmer, Akaniyene Ignatius, the mystery gave way to an even more disturbing revelation.

According to Ekpeyong, detectives from the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, got their breakthrough after some community members linked the suspect to a mattress allegedly taken from one of the victims’ homes. He was reportedly apprehended while trying to sell the mattress.

Ekpeyong said: “He told the police that after killing the two elderly men, he attempted to conceal the crimes by burying parts of their remains in and around his late father’s farm settlement in Abanyama community.

“After strangling and beheading 75-year-old Oko Okon, he dumped the headless body behind the victim’s house, while the severed head was taken to his late father’s farm and buried in a shallow grave.

“In the case of 73-year-old Okon Akpan, he moved the body to the same farm settlement, dismembered it and buried the various body parts in separate shallow graves scattered around the area.

“He later led policemen to the burial sites, where the remains were exhumed and evacuated to the General Hospital in Creek Town.

“Many of us found it difficult to reconcile the soft-spoken farmer we greeted daily with the weight of the allegations against him. We knew him as a calm person.”

Why I killed them

His motive, he allegedly told detectives, was revenge. Not revenge for something that happened last year or even a decade ago, but revenge for wounds he claimed had remained fresh in his heart for 27 years.

In his words: “I am a farmer. I killed them because they were among those responsible for the deaths of my parents and brother. We are from Akwa Ibom State, but my parents lived in Cross River for many years and I was born in Abanyama.

“My two brothers, Kokoite and Ekperite, were always fighting with my father. My mother was always worried. One day, after my mother cooked, Kokoite insisted that his food should be served before my father’s. A fight broke out between them.

“My father later reported the matter to the village elders. The community had intervened several times before then. Eventually, my brothers were arrested, taken to court and sent to prison.

“When they returned from prison, we thought everything had been settled. But later, the community mobilised again and attacked one of my brothers, Ekperite. He was shot and hacked with machetes. My other brother, Kokoite, fled to Lagos because he feared he would also be killed.

“My mother became sick because of the death of my brother and later died. My father could not cope with losing both his wife and son. Within a short time, he too was gone.

“I was left alone in the village. The deaths left a wound that never healed. I vowed to avenge the deaths of my parents and brother, which I eventually did.”

However, he expressed remorse, saying:”I regret what I did. It was anger that pushed me.”

Investigation continues – Police

Reacting to the development, spokesperson for the Cross River State Police Command, ASP Ewa Sunday, said detectives were still piecing together the circumstances surrounding the gruesome killings and the suspect’s claims.

He dismissed reports circulating on social media that more than 30 bodies were linked to the case, describing such claims as unverified and misleading.

According to him:”The unfortunate incident quickly generated widespread attention, with several unverified claims being circulated. Our immediate concern is to ensure a thorough, professional and impartial investigation into the incidents.”

The police spokesman explained that although the suspect had made far-reaching confessional statements during interrogation, every claim would be subjected to careful scrutiny and verification.

As of Thursday, June 18, 2026, the atmosphere of fear that once enveloped Abanyama was gradually giving way to cautious relief. Families who fled their homes were beginning to return, while farmers were making their way back to their farmlands. The once-deserted footpaths were slowly coming alive again.

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