Akwa Ibom Police Nab Suspects Over Cemetery Casket Theft
By ETETE EKONG
POLICE in Akwa Ibom State have arrested two suspects in connection with the alleged exhumation of a corpse and theft of a casket from Mbiokporo Cemetery in Uyo.
The command said the case came to light after a concerned resident reported suspicious activity around the cemetery late on Monday.
According to police spokesperson DSP Timfon John, the caller observed two men conveying a casket on an unregistered motorcycle under the cover of darkness.
The resident confronted the pair, prompting one suspect to flee while the other was restrained and later handed over to the police.
Investigators alleged that the arrested suspect admitted he and his accomplice removed a freshly buried corpse from its grave before taking away the casket to sell it.
Police recovered the empty casket and the motorcycle allegedly used during the operation.
Further investigations led detectives to the manager of Mbiokporo Cemetery, who was arrested on Wednesday.
According to the police, the manager allegedly confessed to participating in the crime and claimed it was his first involvement in such an unlawful act.
Authorities said investigations remain ongoing as detectives work to uncover the full extent of the alleged conspiracy and determine whether other individuals were involved.
Reacting to the incident, Commissioner of Police Baba Azare described the alleged desecration as unacceptable, morally offensive and an attack on the dignity of the deceased.
He pledged that the command would pursue the investigation to its conclusion and ensure that anyone found responsible is prosecuted in accordance with the law.
