Police arrest two over corpse exhumation
The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested two suspects, including the manager of Mbiokporo Cemetery in Uyo, concerning the illegal exhumation of a freshly buried corpse and the theft of a casket. The command has also intensified efforts to apprehend a third suspect who remains at large.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, disclosed this to newsmen on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State Command, Baba Mohammed Azare, on Wednesday.
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Etim Ekpimah
The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested two suspects, including the manager of Mbiokporo Cemetery in Uyo, concerning the illegal exhumation of a freshly buried corpse and the theft of a casket. The command has also intensified efforts to apprehend a third suspect who remains at large.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, disclosed this to newsmen on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State Command, Baba Mohammed Azare, on Wednesday.
According to the statement, the incident was uncovered on 3 August 2026 at about 11:30 pm after a vigilant resident alerted the police to suspicious activities at Mbiokporo Cemetery. The witness reportedly observed two men transporting a casket on an unregistered motorcycle under the cover of darkness.
Acting on suspicion, the complainant confronted the men to ascertain why the casket was being moved at such an unusual hour. One of the suspects, identified as Effiong Asuquo, allegedly fled the scene, while his accomplice, Nsikak Effiong, was nabbed and handed over to the police.
John stated that during interrogation, Nsikak Effiong confessed that he and his accomplice had unlawfully 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 recovered the empty casket and the unregistered motorcycle allegedly used to transport the stolen property. Investigators subsequently widened the probe to establish the full circumstances surrounding the crime and identify all those involved.
Further investigation led to the arrest of Elijah Matthew Edet, the manager of Mbiokporo Cemetery, on 5 August 2026 at about 5:00 pm. According to the police spokesperson, Edet admitted during questioning that he conspired with the grave diggers to carry out the offence, adding that it was his first involvement in such criminal activity.
Commenting on the incident, Azare condemned the act and described it 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”.
He directed that the investigation be “comprehensive, intelligence-driven, and professionally conducted” to ensure that all those connected to the crime are identified, arrested and prosecuted. The commissioner reiterated that the command would not tolerate any act that desecrates human dignity or undermines public confidence in the rule of law.
Azare also commended the complainant’s vigilance and civic responsibility, whose prompt intervention and report led to the arrest of one suspect and the recovery of the stolen casket. He urged residents to remain security-conscious and continue providing credible information to the police, stressing that effective policing is best achieved through active community partnership.
John said investigations are ongoing, while efforts have been intensified to apprehend the fleeing suspect. She added that the command remains committed to protecting lives and property, preserving public order, and ensuring that all those connected to the crime are brought to justice.
