By Emeka Samuel, Uyo
The Police in Akwa Ibom have arrested two men for the unlawful exhumation of a freshly buried corpse and the theft of a casket at Mbiokporo Cemetery in Uyo.
They were said to have unlawfully exhumed the freshly buried corpse, removed the corpse from the casket, and stole the casket with the intention of selling it for financial gain.
A statement from the State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Timfon John in Uyo yesterday said one of the suspects arrested was the manager of the cemetery, while efforts have been intensified to apprehend another accomplice who remained at large.
The arrest followed 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 stole 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 major breakthrough on 5th August, 2026, at about 5:00 p.m., 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.” It said.
State Police Commissioner Baba Azare has condemned the incident in the strongest possible terms, describing 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.
“The Commissioner has directed that the investigation be comprehensive, intelligence-driven, and professionally conducted to ensure that every individual connected with the crime is identified, arrested, and prosecuted in accordance with the law.” the statement noted.
