The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested two suspects, including the manager of Mbiokporo Cemetery, over the alleged unlawful exhumation of a freshly buried corpse and theft of its casket for financial gain.
The suspects were identified as Nsikak Effiong and Elijah Matthew Edet, the cemetery manager, while the police said another alleged accomplice, Effiong Asuquo, remains at large.
The command’s Public Relations Officer, Timfon John, disclosed this in a statement issued to journalists in Uyo, the state capital, on Thursday.
According to the statement, the incident occurred on August 3, 2026, at about 11:30 pm in Nsit-Ibom, after a vigilante operative raised an alarm over suspicious activities at the cemetery.
The vigilante reportedly spotted two men transporting a casket on an unregistered motorcycle and confronted them to establish why the casket was being moved at such an unusual hour.
The police said Asuquo fled the scene during the confrontation, while Effiong was apprehended and handed over to the police.
During interrogation, Effiong allegedly confessed that he and his 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.
The police said they recovered the empty casket and the unregistered motorcycle allegedly used to transport it.
The command said further investigation led to the arrest of Edet, the cemetery manager, on August 5 at about 5:00 pm.
According to the police, Edet admitted during interrogation that he conspired with the grave diggers to commit the offence, adding that it was his first involvement in such criminal activity.
“The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has recorded a significant breakthrough in the investigation into the unlawful exhumation of a freshly buried corpse and the theft of a casket at Mbiokporo Cemetery, Uyo, with the arrest of two suspects, including the manager of the cemetery, while efforts have been intensified to apprehend another accomplice who remains at large.
“The incident came to light on 3rd August, 2026, at about 11:30 pm, following a distress call received from a vigilant member of the public who reported suspicious activities at the cemetery after observing two men transporting a casket on an unregistered motorcycle under the cover of darkness.
“Acting on the suspicion, the complainant confronted the suspects to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the movement of the casket at such an unusual hour. In an attempt to evade arrest, one of the suspects, identified as Effiong Asuquo, fled the scene, while his accomplice, Nsikak Effiong, was apprehended and immediately handed over to the police. During interrogation, Nsikak Effiong confessed that he and his accomplice had unlawfully exhumed a freshly buried corpse, removed the corpse from the casket, and stolen the casket with the intention of selling it for financial gain.
“The police recovered the empty casket as well as the unregistered motorcycle used in conveying the stolen property, while investigations were immediately expanded to uncover the full circumstances surrounding the crime and identify all persons connected to the act.
“Further investigation yielded another breakthrough on 5th August, 2026, at about 5:00 pm, with the arrest of one Elijah Matthew Edet, the manager of Mbiokporo Cemetery. During interrogation, the suspect admitted to conspiring with the grave diggers in the commission of the offence and stated that it was his first involvement in such criminal activity,” the statement read.
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The state Commissioner of Police, Baba Azare, condemned the incident as barbaric, sacrilegious and a gross violation of the dignity of the dead.
Azare directed that the investigation be comprehensive, intelligence-driven and professionally conducted to ensure that all individuals connected with the alleged crime are identified, arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
The commissioner also commended the vigilante operative for his vigilance, courage and sense of civic responsibility, saying his prompt intervention and report helped prevent the suspects from escaping with the stolen casket.
He urged residents to remain security conscious and continue to provide timely and credible information to the police.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
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