By Kelvin Obambon
A horrific tale of a 29-year-old grudge came to a bloody climax in the quiet community of Creek Town, Odukpani Local Government Area of Cross River State, as a 40-year-old man allegedly embarked on a deadly killing spree to avenge the death of his family members.
The suspect, identified as Akaninyine Eretus, is currently in police custody after confessionary statements linked him to the brutal murder of two residents, hacking one to death and catching another completely unaware in his sleep.
According to a statement released on Saturday, May 30, 2026, by the Cross River State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Sunday Eitokpah, the suspect admitted to the gruesome killings during intense interrogation.
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The police briefing revealed a chilling timeline of how Eretus executed his vengeance over a 48-hour period.
The suspect allegedly launched his first attack on May 24, 2026, targeting a victim identified simply as Okokon, who was hacked to death with a machete. The following day, May 25, Eretus struck again, catching his second victim, identified as Okon, completely defenseless as he slept.
“During interrogation, the suspect made statements in which he allegedly admitted involvement in the killing of two persons… The suspect claimed that his actions were motivated by a desire to avenge the deaths of his parents and two elder brothers during a communal crisis in the area approximately 29 years ago,” ASP Eitokpah stated.
The killings have thrown the Creek Town community into shock, unearthing painful memories of a communal crisis that tore the area apart nearly three decades ago. For Eretus, who would have been just an 11-year-old boy at the time, the trauma of losing his parents and two elder brothers simmered for 29 years before exploding into this recent wave of violence.
The police confirmed that two bodies, believed to be those of Okokon and Okon, have been successfully recovered by security operatives. The remains have been deposited at a hospital morgue for preservation, formal identification, and autopsy.
While the suspect’s confession paints a vivid picture of a long-awaited vendetta, the state police command has maintained a cautious approach, emphasizing that Eretus’s claims are still subject to rigorous verification.
The authorities have urged residents of Creek Town and the wider Odukpani LGA to remain calm and avoid taking the law into their own hands or spreading panic.
“The Command emphasizes that the suspect’s statements remain subject to thorough investigation and verification,” the PPRO said in the statement. “Members of the public are therefore advised to refrain from spreading unverified information, rumours, or messages capable of compromising ongoing investigations or causing unnecessary tension within the community.”
As Creek Town grapples with the grim reality of a past conflict bleeding into the present, the police have assured the public that investigations are moving swiftly, promising that justice will be served as further developments unfold.
