Tears, Trauma, and Justice: How a Village Dispute Turned Into a Deadly Kidnap Plot in Akwa Ibom

It was a story that shook not just Ukanafun, but the entire Akwa Ibom State  the kind that reminds us how quickly a community disagreement can spiral into something far more dangerous. After nearly nine years of waiting, praying, and reliving trauma, Elder Idongesit Demas Udom, a respected 62 year-old retired ExxonMobil staff, finally saw justice delivered.

On December 11, 2025, an Akwa Ibom State High Court sitting in Uyo, presided over by Justice Gabriel Ette, sentenced four men to death by hanging for their roles in his abduction and the brutal amputation of his hand  even after collecting a “₦5 million ransom”.

For Elder Udom, it was the end of a long, painful chapter.

For the rest of us, it’s a warning about how far anger, resentment, and crime can go when left unchecked.

According to the court testimonies, the trouble began back in December 2016 over something many people in the village initially dismissed as “small matter.”

A young man, William ThankGod Sunday, now the second convict, planned to hold a cultist carnival in the village  complete with drinking and smoking competitions. The elders knew what had happened the last time such a carnival was allowed: several minors were secretly initiated into cult groups.

So, as responsible elders, they stepped in.

A meeting was held at Elder Udom’s home. It was agreed the carnival could not hold. The matter was later reported to the DPO of Ukanafun, who deployed officers to stop the event.

But what seemed like a simple community intervention turned into a bitter grudge.

William blamed Elder Udom for his failures both his failed carnival and, strangely, his loss in the village youth leadership election. Threatening letters were sent to the Village Head. Bitterness grew. Still, Elder Udom brushed it off. After all, he had once helped secure William’s release from police detention in Abia.

Who would imagine that someone you once helped could plot your downfall?

The Night Everything Changed

On March 16, 2017, unknown to the peace-loving villagers, William met with his accomplices. Local kidnappers refused to touch Elder Udom because of his good reputation in the community. So, they imported kidnappers from Abia State.Their target was clear. Their plan was set.

And days later, the unimaginable happened.

Elder Udom was kidnapped, beaten, humiliated, and eventually had his hand chopped off  even after his family raised a painful ₦5 million ransom.

It was a moment that left Ukanafun cold. A man known for generosity and community service now battling for his life.

Justice Gabriel Ette didn’t rush the process. He sat through four hours of detailed judgment, reviewing testimonies from five prosecution witnesses, including the victim himself.

In the end, four men were found guilty beyond reasonable doubt:

1. Chinatu Iwe Abraham 38

2. William ThankGod Sunday 30

3. Ubon Monday Ebebe 30

4. Saturday Jonah Udo 43

They were convicted on all three charges:

1. Conspiracy : 7 years imprisonment

2. Kidnapping:Death by hanging

With the chilling pronouncement:

“May the Lord have mercy on your souls.”

3. Wounding with intent to maim – 3 years imprisonment

Three others  Kingsley John Akpan, Etimefiok Ime Ezekiel, and Joseph Sunday Etim  were discharged and acquitted due to lack of sufficient evidence.