A traditional ruler in Akwa Ibom State has been arrested on suspicion of attempting to murder his younger sister following a family quarrel over a palm fruit plantation.
Police said Chief Friday Jonah Umoren, the village head of Ibagwa in Abak Local Government Area, allegedly shot his 32-year-old sister, Unwana Effiong Friday Inyang, in the head during a dispute on Saturday afternoon. The attack left her with serious injuries, though she is reported to be in stable condition after being rushed to a nearby hospital.
The State Police Command confirmed the arrest in a statement issued Tuesday by its spokesperson, Timfon John. According to the statement, officers received a report of the incident around 2:30 p.m. on September 6 and quickly moved to the scene, where the traditional ruler was taken into custody.
“A long, single-barrel gun believed to have been used in the assault was recovered from his possession,” John said. “The victim was immediately taken to a hospital, where she is currently receiving treatment.”
The case was first brought to the police’s attention through a complaint filed by another sibling. Early investigations, the command said, suggest the shooting stemmed from a dispute over ownership of palm fruits harvested from family land.
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The arrest has sent shockwaves through Ibagwa, where villagers expressed disbelief that a community leader could be accused of such violence against his own kin. Traditional rulers in Akwa Ibom are often seen as custodians of peace and mediators of family disputes, making the allegations particularly troubling.
Police say Umoren remains in custody as detectives continue their investigation. It is not yet clear whether he has been formally charged. The command emphasized that the case would be pursued “with the seriousness it deserves,” underscoring its zero-tolerance stance on domestic and communal violence.
For now, the victim’s recovery remains the family’s central concern. Relatives have asked for privacy while she undergoes treatment, but police confirmed she has been speaking with investigators.
What began as a quarrel over palm fruit has now escalated into a criminal case that could strip a village head of his authority and leave a lasting mark on one of Akwa Ibom’s rural communities.