Akwa Ibom Tragedy: 23-Year-Old Man Arrested for Hacking 71-Year-Old Mother to Death Over Food, Money
A chilling domestic tragedy has rocked the quiet community of Oruk Uso Otoro in Abak Local Government Area, following the arrest of a 23-year-old man, Akaninyene Sunday Isaac, who allegedly murdered his 71-year-old mother, Christiana Sunday Isaac, after an argument over food and money.
The gruesome incident, which occurred in October 2023, has left residents of the area in deep shock, with many struggling to comprehend how a son could brutally take the life of his own mother under such circumstances.
According to police reports, Akaninyene used a machete to attack his elderly mother in their family home. The attack was said to have been triggered by Akaninyene’s anger over his mother’s refusal to give him food and money. Family sources revealed that he had gone for three days without eating and believed his mother was deliberately starving him.
One relative, speaking anonymously, said the suspect had earlier demanded money and food, but the mother, who was known to occasionally support him, was unable to provide anything that day. “This is a young man who was supposed to protect and care for his mother. What happened here is too painful to describe,” the relative added.
Following the brutal killing, the Akwa Ibom State Police Command arrested Akaninyene on October 11, 2023, through operatives at the Abak Police Division. During interrogation, he reportedly confessed to committing the crime.
Spokesperson of the Command, SP Odiko Macdon, confirmed the arrest and described the incident as “heartbreaking and unacceptable.” “Yes, we have arrested the suspect. He confessed to killing his mother with a machete after she refused to give him food and money. He said he had been starving and frustrated. It’s a very tragic situation,” Macdon stated.
The suspect remains in custody while police continue with their investigation. Authorities say he will be arraigned in court once the inquiry is concluded.
The murder has cast a dark cloud over Oruk Uso Otoro, a peaceful village not accustomed to such violence. Locals, especially elders, have called for justice, while others are urging government agencies to look into rising cases of domestic unrest and mental health challenges among youths in rural areas.
A community leader lamented the loss: “The late Madam Christiana was a quiet and generous woman. It’s unthinkable that her life ended this way, at the hands of her own son.”
The tragedy has reignited conversations around youth unemployment, poverty, mental health, and the lack of social support structures in semi-urban and rural Nigerian communities. While Akaninyene’s actions have been widely condemned, some observers argue that his mental and emotional condition also deserves scrutiny.
In response to the incident, social advocates are now calling for improved access to mental health services, stronger support for elderly care, and greater community education on resolving domestic conflicts non-violently.
As investigations continue, the community and nation await the legal outcome of what has become one of the most disturbing cases of filial violence in recent times. The police have assured the public that the matter will be thoroughly prosecuted, and justice will be served.
