16-YEAR-OLD ARRESTED AFTER 20-YEAR-OLD MAN DIES IN CROSS RIVER STABBING

The Cross River State Police Command has arrested a 16-year-old boy in connection with the death of a 20-year-old man, Uwem Daniel Akpan, who was allegedly stabbed during a misunderstanding in Awi community, Akamkpa Local Government Area of the state.

The incident reportedly occurred at about 7:30pm on Sunday, August 31, 2026, at Peters Street in Awi. According to the police, an argument or misunderstanding between the two individuals escalated before Akpan was allegedly stabbed.

The victim sustained injuries during the incident and was rushed to the Naval Reference Hospital in Calabar for medical attention. However, he was reportedly confirmed dead after arriving at the facility.

Following his death, members of Akpan’s family recovered his remains from the hospital. The circumstances surrounding the incident have since prompted a police investigation as authorities seek to establish exactly what led to the fatal confrontation.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Sunday Eitokpah, confirmed the arrest in a statement made available to journalists in Calabar on Tuesday.

According to the police spokesman, the 16-year-old suspect is currently in police custody while investigators work to determine his alleged involvement in the death. The command said the investigation would establish the circumstances surrounding the confrontation and the events that resulted in Akpan’s death.

The police have not disclosed further details about what triggered the disagreement between the teenager and the deceased. Authorities have also not released information concerning the nature of the relationship between the two individuals or whether anyone else was involved in the confrontation.

The case is expected to be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Calabar for further investigation and appropriate legal action. The transfer is expected to allow detectives to conduct a more detailed investigation into the circumstances surrounding the alleged stabbing.

The police command urged residents and other members of the public to remain calm while the investigation continues. It also warned against taking the law into their own hands, particularly in response to incidents that could generate anger or tension within the community.

Eitokpah assured the public that investigators would thoroughly examine the circumstances surrounding Akpan’s death before reaching conclusions about the suspect’s alleged involvement.

He added that additional information would be released as the investigation progresses and more facts are established.

The incident has once again drawn attention to the consequences of violent confrontations among young people, particularly when disagreements escalate into physical attacks. Authorities are expected to determine the events that preceded the stabbing and establish whether the suspect will face formal charges.

For now, the 16-year-old remains in police custody as the Cross River State Police Command continues its investigation into the death of the 20-year-old Akpan.