By Anamati Inyang- 10 November 2025
Tension has engulfed the Mbak Itam III community in Itu Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State following an alleged brutal assault by officers of the D Division, Itam Police Station, on a family of three; Mr. Kubiat Michael, his wife, Mrs. Ikwo Kubiat, and their son, Victor.
The victims, who are indigenes of Ikot Odiong Ididep in Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area, were reportedly attacked after Mr. Kubiat, 60, attempted to mediate a scuffle between policemen and a commercial motorcyclist near his residence in Mbak Itam III.
According to eyewitnesses, the officers had stopped a motorcyclist and his passenger, demanding to search the passenger’s phone. When the young man refused, an argument broke out, and the officers attempted to seize the motorcycle.
The situation quickly escalated, with the policemen allegedly striking the rider repeatedly with their rifles until one of their guns got damaged.
EYEWITNESS ACCOUNTS
Speaking to Rismadarvoice Media, Mrs. Ikwo Kubiat recounted that her husband only came out as a respected elder to calm tensions, since the incident occurred at the entrance of their compound and none of those involved were related to them.
“He went to make peace, and the boy was eventually freed. Everyone, including the police, left peacefully,” she said.
However, the situation took a disturbing turn not long after. “The same policemen returned with two Volvo vehicles, pointed at my husband and said, ‘That’s the man there.’ They beat him mercilessly, beat me too, stripped me naked before onlookers, and injured us seriously. They also arrested my husband and our son, Victor, because he recorded the incident on his phone,” she narrated.
Residents of Mbak Itam 3, including youths and students who witnessed the assault, condemned the officers’ actions, describing the attack as “barbaric, unjustified, and disgraceful.”
VICTIMS IN CUSTODY, FAMILY IN DISTRESS
As at the time of this report, Mr. Kubiat and his son remain in police custody with visible injuries, while Mrs. Kubiat is said to be traumatized and in deep distress.
Community leaders and human rights advocates have called on the Akwa Ibom State Police Command to launch a thorough and impartial investigation into the matter, urging the authorities to bring the culprits to justice.
Residents are also appealing to the state government, civil society organizations, and the National Human Rights Commission to intervene and prevent further incidents of police brutality in the area.
Follow Rismadar Voice Media for updates on this developing story.
