CHUKA UBAH
Police operatives from the Homicide Department of the SCID, Akwa Ibom State Command, have arrested a man, Akpan Okon Akpan, for allegedly killing his friend, Junior Ime Philip, by pouring him some petroleum substance on him and setting him ablaze over a phone charger.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the incident happened at Ikot Ekwere Ubium Village in Nsit Ubim Local Government Area of the State.
This was disclosed by the Commissioner of Police in Akwa Ibom State, Olatoye Durosinmi, who has vowed to ensure that the law takes its full course in a case of arson involving one Akpan now detained at the State Police Headquarters for gruesomely murdering his friend over a minor disagreement.
The suspect allegedly burnt his friend to death after dousing him with inflammable liquid suspected to be petroleum substance following a heated argument over a phone charger.
He was paraded alongside others criminal suspects allegedly involved in sundry crimes at the Command Headquarters.
The Police boss explained that the arsonist, a roadside petrol seller, had in the middle of the altercation with his friend, poured petrol on him and ignited a match, which resulted in the victim’s death.
He said: “On 15th December, 2022, relying on a petition from Rev. Emmanuel Ime, of Ikot Ekwere Ubium Village in Nsit Ublum Local Government Area, operatives of the Homicide unit of the SCID Uyo, arrested one Akpan Okon Akpan, of same address, who poured fuel on his brother, one Junior Ime Philip and set him ablaze, leading to his death because of a disagreement over a phone charger.”
“The suspect admitted to the crime saying that he was forced to kill the deceased because he (the deceased) started a fight with him, though he denied knowing the deceased.”
Recalling how the incident happened, the suspect said: “He (the deceased) ran into my shop and said he was looking for someone and then picked a bottle and started a fight in my shop. I sell engine oil, petrol and kerosene. I poured the petrol on him, I didn’t know till it happened, I didn’t know.”
“I never knew the guy before. That was the first day I saw him. He came into my shop asking for someone; that the person had his charger and I told him the person was not around. He then picked a bottle and started a fight with me.”
The suspect may likely be charged to Court for the alleged murder but that will be after the conclusion of investigations by the Police.