The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested the manager of Mbiokporo Cemetery in Uyo and another suspect over the unlawful exhumation of a newly buried corpse and the theft of its casket.
The Command described the incident as a shocking violation of human dignity and promised to bring everyone involved to justice.
The Command said the arrests followed a swift investigation that began after a vigilant resident raised the alarm on the night of August 3, 2026, leading to the recovery of the stolen casket and the motorcycle allegedly used to transport it.
Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John in a statement made available to newsmen in Uyo on Thursday, said the incident came to light at about 11:30 p.m. when a resident noticed two men conveying a casket on an unregistered motorcycle under suspicious circumstances and decided to question them.
According to the police, one of the suspects, identified as Effiong Asuquo, fled the scene, while his alleged accomplice, Nsikak Effiong, was apprehended by the resident and handed over to officers.
During interrogation, Nsikak reportedly confessed that he and the fleeing suspect exhumed a freshly buried corpse, removed the body from the casket and stole the casket with the intention of selling it for money.
The police said the stolen empty casket and the motorcycle used in the operation were recovered immediately, while investigators widened the probe to identify other persons connected to the crime.
The investigation later led to the arrest of the manager of Mbiokporo Cemetery, Elijah Matthew Edet, on August 5.
According to the Command, the cemetery manager admitted during interrogation that he conspired with the grave diggers to commit the offence, claiming it was the first time he had taken part in such an act.
Reacting to the development, the Commissioner of Police in Akwa Ibom State, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, condemned the incident in strong terms.
He described the desecration of the grave 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 society.”
Azare directed investigators to conduct a thorough, intelligence-driven and professional investigation to ensure that everyone connected with the crime is identified, arrested and prosecuted.
He also stressed that the Command “will not tolerate any act that desecrates human dignity or undermines public confidence in the rule of law.”
The police commissioner commended the resident whose vigilance led to the arrest of one of the suspects and the recovery of the stolen casket, describing the intervention as a demonstration of civic responsibility.
He urged members of the public to remain security conscious and continue to provide timely and credible information to the police, noting that effective policing depends on strong collaboration between the police and the community.
The Command added that efforts have been intensified to arrest the fleeing suspect, while investigations are continuing to ensure that all those involved in the crime are brought to justice.
