The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested Chief Friday Umoren, the village head of Ibagwa in Abak Local Government Area, for allegedly shooting his 32-year-old sister, Unwana Effiong Friday Inyang, in the head with a gun.
The incident occurred on Saturday, September 6, 2025, at approximately 2:30 p.m., following a quarrel over ownership of a palm fruit plantation.
Chief Umoren allegedly shot his sister in the head with a single-barrel gun during a dispute over palm fruits from family land.
The spokesman for the State Police Command, Timfon John, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday.
The statement reveals that the suspect was nabbed for allegedly shooting his sister in the head, as she sustained various degrees of injuries and was rushed to hospital.
According to the statement, the village head was arrested through a report filed by the suspect’s brother, Chief Friday Jonah Umoren, of Ibagwa village.
The statement further reads in part: “On Saturday, September 6, 2025, at approximately 2:30 p.m., operatives of the Command received a report of an attempted murder.
“According to the report filed by a man (name withheld) that his brother, Chief Friday Jonah Umoren, the village head of Ibagwa, allegedly shot their sister, Unwana Effiong Friday Inyang, 32 years, in the head with a gun.”
The Command’s spokesperson said that the victim was rushed to an undisclosed hospital for treatment while the suspect was arrested as the police responded to the scene.
“The victim was immediately taken to a hospital, where she is currently receiving treatment and is reported to be in stable condition.
“Police responded to the scene, and the suspect, Chief Friday Jonah Umoren, was arrested and taken into custody.
“A long, single-barrel gun believed to have been used in the assault was recovered from his possession,” she stated.
John said investigation revealed that the incident occurred as a result of a quarrel arising from ownership of a palm fruit plantation.
“Preliminary investigations suggest the incident was the result of a misunderstanding over palm fruits,” she said.
The arrest has sent shockwaves through the community, with villagers expressing disbelief that a traditional ruler could be accused of such violence against his own kin.
Traditional rulers are often seen as custodians of peace and mediators of family disputes, making the allegations particularly troubling.
