Operatives of the Akwa Ibom State Police Commander have arrested two cemetery attendants for allegedly excavating tombs, removing the corpses and selling off the caskets after shabbily reburying the bodies.
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The police spokesperson, DSP Timfon John, who told journalists at the Police Headquarters, Ikot Akpanabia, Uyo, the state capital, yesterday, that breakthrough was recorded after a painstaking investigation following a tip-off by residents of Mbiokpooro community in Nsit Ibom local government area hosting the cemetery.
She said, “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, Nsit Ibom local government area, with the arrest of two suspects, including the manager of the cemetery.”
She said efforts were ongoing to apprehend another accomplice still at large.
She recalled that “the incident came to light on 3rd August, 2026, at about 11:30 p.m., 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.”
She recalled that when the the suspicion became so rife, the complainant had confronted the suspects “to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the movement of the casket at such an unusual hour.”
According to her, 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”, she stressed.
The Commissioner of Police (CP), Baba Azare, she added, 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.”
Therefore, the Commissioner, she added, 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, reiterating that “the Command will not tolerate any act that desecrates human dignity or undermines public confidence in the rule of law.”
“The CP further commended the vigilance, courage, and sense of civic responsibility demonstrated by the complainant, whose prompt intervention and report were instrumental in foiling the suspects’ attempt to escape with the stolen casket. He urged residents to remain security conscious and continue to provide timely, credible information to the Police, stressing that effective policing is best achieved through active community partnership.
“Investigation is ongoing, while efforts have been intensified to apprehend the fleeing suspect. The Command remains steadfast in its commitment to protecting lives and property, preserving public order, and ensuring that all those connected with this heinous crime are brought to justice,” the CP assured.
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