Police Arrest Cemetery Manager, Accomplice for Allegedly Exhuming Corpse and Stealing Casket in Akwa Ibom
Operatives of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command have arrested two suspects, including the manager of Mbiokporo Cemetery, over the alleged exhumation of a freshly buried corpse and the theft of its casket in Nsit-Ibom Local Government Area of the state.
The disturbing incident, which has sparked public outrage, was confirmed by the Police Public Relations Officer, Timfon John, in a statement released to journalists in Uyo on Thursday.
According to the police, the incident occurred at about 11:30 p.m. on August 3, 2026, when a local vigilante operative noticed two men transporting a casket on an unregistered motorcycle under the cover of darkness. Suspecting foul play, the vigilante confronted the suspects and immediately raised an alarm.
While one of the suspects, identified as Effiong Asuquo, managed to escape, the second suspect, Nsikak Effiong, was apprehended at the scene and handed over to the police for investigation.
During interrogation, Nsikak allegedly confessed that he and his accomplice dug up a freshly buried grave, removed the corpse from the casket, and attempted to steal the casket with the intention of selling it for financial gain.
The police recovered the stolen empty casket along with the unregistered motorcycle allegedly used to transport it. Detectives subsequently expanded the investigation to identify and apprehend other individuals connected to the crime.
Further investigations led to the arrest of the manager of Mbiokporo Cemetery, Elijah Matthew Edet, on August 5, 2026. According to the police, Edet allegedly admitted to conspiring with the grave diggers to carry out the act, claiming it was his first involvement in such an offence.
The command disclosed that one additional suspect remains at large, adding that efforts are ongoing to track and arrest the fleeing suspect.
Reacting to the incident, the Commissioner of Police in Akwa Ibom State, Baba Azare, strongly condemned the alleged act, describing it as barbaric, sacrilegious, and a serious violation of the dignity of the deceased.
The commissioner directed investigators to carry out a thorough, intelligence-driven, and professional investigation to ensure that every individual connected with the incident is identified and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
He also praised the vigilance and swift intervention of the local vigilante operative, noting that the prompt action played a crucial role in preventing the suspects from successfully escaping with the stolen casket.
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The Akwa Ibom State Police Command urged residents to remain vigilant and continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies to strengthen ongoing efforts to combat crime and protect communities across the state.
