Cross River man, 45, arrested for allegedly hacking sibling to death with machete

A 45-year-old man has been arrested by the Cross River State Police Command for the alleged murder of his brother with a machete, in a killing that has sent shock through the community where both men lived.

The suspect, identified as Emereze Okoro, 45, is currently in police custody following the alleged fatal attack on his brother, Egbegi Enya. Investigators are working to establish the full circumstances and motive behind the killing. No further details on the location of the incident or the events immediately preceding the attack have been officially disclosed at the time of filing this report.

Confirming the incident on Monday, the Police Spokesman of Cross River state, ASP Sunday Akata, said that Police operatives from the Abi Division promptly swung into action, visiting the scene of the crime where photographs were taken and the victim’s body was evacuated and deposited at the Eja Memorial Joint Hospital Mortuary in Itigidi.

The killing is the latest in a string of violent domestic incidents involving machetes reported in Cross River State in recent months. In February 2026, police arrested a 23-year-old man, Bassey Ubi, after he allegedly attacked and killed his father with a machete in Ugep, Yakurr Local Government Area. That suspect was said to have acted under the influence of illicit substances and was rescued from a mob by police before being taken into custody.

The state police command has repeatedly urged residents to hand over suspects to law enforcement rather than resort to jungle justice, warning that anyone found culpable of mob violence would also face prosecution.

Emereze Okoro is expected to be formally charged once investigations are completed.