Police arrest cemetery manager, grave digger for exhuming corpse, stealing casket

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has made a significant arrest in connection with the unlawful exhumation of a corpse and the theft of its casket from Mbiokporo Cemetery.

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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, Uyo, with the arrest of two suspects, including the manager of the cemetery, while efforts have been intensified to apprehend another accomplice who remains at large.

Police operatives apprehended Nsikak Effiong and Elijah Edet, the cemetery manager, for allegedly conspiring to exhume a freshly buried body to steal the casket for financial gain. The incident occurred on August 3, 2026, around 11:30 pm, following a distress call from a vigilante who observed two men moving a casket on an unregistered motorcycle under the cover of darkness.

When confronted, one suspect, identified as Effiong Asuquo, fled the scene, while Effiong was apprehended and handed over to the police. During interrogation, Effiong confessed to the crime, stating that he and his accomplice had removed the body from the casket to steal it.

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The incident came to light on 3rd August, 2026, at about 11:30 pm, 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.

The police have recovered the empty casket and the motorcycle. Further investigation led to the arrest of the cemetery manager, Edet, who admitted to conspiring with grave diggers in the criminal act, claiming it was his first involvement. Efforts are underway to apprehend the accomplice who remains at large. The command is continuing its investigation to uncover the full circumstances and identify all individuals connected to the offense.

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Acting on the suspicion, the complainant confronted the suspects to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the movement of the casket at such an unusual hour. 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 immed