How Cemetery Staff Were Caught Exhuming Fresh Corpse to Steal Casket in Akwa Ibom

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

The command’s spokesperson, Timfon John, disclosed the development in a statement issued on Thursday, August 6, 2026.

According to the PPRO, , the incident came to light on August 3 after a vigilant resident observed two men transporting a casket on an unregistered motorcycle under suspicious circumstances during the night and promptly alerted authorities.

Police said one of the suspects, identified as Effiong Asuquo, escaped while attempting to evade arrest, but his alleged accomplice, Nsikak Effiong, was apprehended at the scene and handed over to law enforcement officers.

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

Investigators recovered the stolen casket and the motorcycle used in the operation. Further investigations led to the arrest of the cemetery manager, Elijah Matthew Edet, who allegedly confessed to conspiring with the suspects in carrying out the crime.

Advertisement

The police said efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspect, while investigations into the incident continue.