Police in Akwa Ibom State have arrested two suspects, including the manager of Mbiokporo Cemetery, over the alleged exhumation of a freshly buried corpse and the theft of its casket for sale.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, disclosed in a statement on Thursday that the incident occurred on August 3 at about 11:30 p.m. after a vigilant resident alerted the police to suspicious activities at the cemetery.
According to the police, the complainant observed two men transporting a casket on an unregistered motorcycle under the cover of darkness and challenged them. One of the suspects, identified as Effiong Asuquo, escaped, while his alleged accomplice, Nsikak Effiong, was apprehended and handed over to the police.
During interrogation, the suspect reportedly confessed that he and his fleeing accomplice had exhumed a freshly buried corpse, removed the body from the casket and stolen the casket with the intention of selling it for financial gain.
Police said the stolen empty casket and the unregistered motorcycle used to convey it were recovered, while investigations were expanded to identify other persons connected to the crime.
The investigation later led to the arrest of Elijah Matthew Edet, the manager of Mbiokporo Cemetery, on August 5.
According to the police, Edet admitted during interrogation that he conspired with the grave diggers in carrying out the crime, adding that it was his first involvement in such an offence.
The command said efforts were ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspect and any other accomplices linked to the incident.
Condemning the act, the Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, described the alleged crime as “barbaric, sacrilegious, morally reprehensible, and a gross violation of the dignity of the dead, the sanctity of burial grounds, and the cultural and religious values of our society.”
The police assured residents that all those involved would be apprehended and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
Police arrest two supects for exhuming corpse, stealing casket
