Two Arrested in Akwa Ibom for Corpse Theft

On August 3, 2023, the Akwa Ibom State Command arrested two suspects, Nsikak Effiong and Elijah Edet, the manager of Mbiokporo Cemetery in Uyo, for the alleged exhumation of a freshly buried corpse and theft of its casket. The incident was reported after a vigilant resident noticed two men transporting a casket on an unregistered motorcycle around 11:30 p.m. and confronted them.

One suspect, Effiong Asuquo, managed to escape, while Nsikak Effiong was apprehended and handed over to the police. During interrogation, Nsikak Effiong confessed to exhuming the corpse and stealing the casket with the intent to sell it.

The police recovered the empty casket and the motorcycle used for transportation. Following the investigation, Elijah Edet was arrested on August 5, 2023.

Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the third suspect, Effiong Asuquo, who remains at large.