The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has apprehended two suspects, including the manager of Mbiokporo Cemetery, in connection with the alleged unlawful exhumation of a recently interred corpse and theft of a casket.
The incident occurred on August 3, 2026, at approximately 11:30 p.m., following a distress report from a vigilant community member.
The complainant observed two individuals transporting a casket on an unregistered motorcycle under cover of darkness and, acting on suspicion, confronted them regarding the circumstances of the unusual activity.
One of the suspects, identified as Effiong Asuquo, fled the scene, whilst his associate, Nsikak Effiong, was apprehended and transferred to police custody.
During interrogation, Nsikak Effiong confessed that he and his accomplice had unlawfully exhumed a freshly buried corpse, extracted it from the casket and stolen the casket with intention to sell it for financial gain.
Police recovered the empty casket and the unregistered motorcycle used in transporting the stolen property.
Investigation expansion on August 5, 2026, at approximately 5:00 p.m., resulted in the arrest of Elijah Matthew Edet, the Cemetery Manager.
During interrogation, the suspect admitted to conspiring with gravediggers in committing the offence, claiming it represented his initial involvement in such criminal activity.
Efforts continue to apprehend the fleeing suspect.
The Commissioner of Police condemned the incident as barbaric, sacrilegious, morally indefensible and a grave violation of the dignity of the deceased, the sanctity of burial grounds, and the cultural and religious values of society.
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