Police Arrest Cemetery Manager, Grave Digger For Exhuming Freshly Buried Corpse and Stealing Casket

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested the manager of Mbiokporo Cemetery in Uyo, Elijah Matthew Edet, alongside another suspect, Nsikak Effiong, over the alleged exhumation of a newly buried corpse and the theft of its casket.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, Timfon John, disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday, revealing that the disturbing incident was uncovered following the vigilance of a concerned resident.

According to the police, the case came to light on August 3 when a resident spotted two men transporting a casket on an unregistered motorcycle under the cover of darkness and promptly raised the alarm.

The police said one of the suspects, identified as Effiong Asuquo, fled the scene in a bid to evade arrest, while Nsikak Effiong was apprehended by members of the public and handed over to officers.

During interrogation, Effiong reportedly confessed that he and Asuquo exhumed a freshly buried corpse, removed the body from the casket and stole the coffin with the intention of selling it.

Police recovered the stolen casket and the motorcycle allegedly used in the operation.

Further investigations subsequently led to the arrest of the cemetery manager, Elijah Matthew Edet, who allegedly admitted to conspiring with the grave diggers in carrying out the act.

The police said investigations are ongoing as efforts continue to apprehend the fleeing suspect and ensure that all those connected with the incident are brought to justice