Akwa Ibom: Police Nab 2 Suspects in Exhumation, Casket Theft Case

By Patrick Titus, Uyo

Elijah Matthew Edet, the Manager of Mbiokporo Cemetery in Uyo and his accomplice, Nsikak Effiong, have been arrested by the Akwa Ibom State Police over unlawful exhumation of a freshly buried corpse and the theft of a casket at the cemetery.

The incident occurred on August 3, 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 State Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John who disclosed this stated that the complainant, acting on the suspicion, confronted the suspects to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the movement of the casket at such an unusual hour.

DSP John explained that 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 immediately handed over to the Police.

“During interrogation, Nsikak Effiong confessed that he and his accomplice had unlawfully exhumed a freshly buried corpse, removed the corpse from the casket, and stole the casket with the intention of selling it for financial gain,” the PPRO further disclosed.

As a proof to the act, the empty casket, as well as the unregistered motorcycle used in conveying the stolen property, have been recovered from the suspects by the Police.

Investigations are ongoing to uncover the full circumstances surrounding the crime and to identify all persons connected to the act.

During interrogation, the cemetery’s manager, Matthew Edet admitted to conspiring with the grave diggers in the commission of the offence and stated that it was his first involvement in such criminal activity. Police said.

Meanwhile the Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Baba Mohammed Azare has condemned the incident, describing it as barbaric, sacrilegious, morally reprehensible and a gross violation of the dignity of the dead, the sanctity of burial grounds and cultural, and religious values of our society.

The Commissioner has directed that the investigation be comprehensive, intelligence-driven and professionally conducted to ensure that every individual connected with the crime is identified, arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.

He reiterated that the Command will not tolerate any act that desecrates human dignity or undermines public confidence in the rule of law.

He commended the vigilance, courage and sense of civic responsibility demonstrated by the complainant, whose prompt intervention and report were instrumental in foiling the suspects’ attempt to escape with the stolen casket.

CP Azare urged residents to remain security conscious and continue to provide timely and credible information to the Police, stressing that effective policing is best achieved through active community partnership.