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The Edo State Police Command has started an inquiry regarding claims of missing body parts from a dead person brought to Akugbe Mortuary on Upper Sakponba Road in Benin City, the state’s capital.

PUNCH Metrolearned on Tuesday from a statement by the command’s Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, that the incident caused public anger and almost led to mob violence.

Ikoedem mentioned that the police got a panic call indicating a mortuary worker was on the verge of being attacked by an angry mob and quickly sent officers to the location to save the individual.

She stated that initial inquiries showed that Marvelous Odeh and others had gone to the mortuary to collect the body of a relative, only to find that the corpse had supposedly been altered, leading them to inform the police.

Ikoedem stated, “On December 12, 2025, the Command got an urgent emergency call reporting that a mortuary worker was about to be attacked by an angry group accusing him of removing organs. The Divisional Police Officer from Ugbekun Division quickly sent officers to the location and managed to save the individual, thus preventing a collapse of law and order.”

Initial inquiry found that Marvelous Odeh and others had gone to the mortuary to take the body of the late Uyi Enogieru for burial.

Nevertheless, following the necessary official procedures, it was found that the body had been illegally altered and certain body parts were missing, leading to a police report.

She mentioned that the suspect has now been arrested for additional inquiry.

The PPRO pledged to the public that justice would be carried out, while also cautioning against collective unrest.

The individual under suspicion has been arrested, and following the instruction of the Police Commissioner, Edo State Command, CP Monday Agbonika, the case has been handed over to the State Criminal Investigation Department for a comprehensive, skilled, and confidential inquiry to determine the details of the event.

The Edo State Police Command guarantees the public that every possible effort will be made to discover the facts and that anyone proven responsible will face legal consequences.

Ikoedem added, ‘The public is encouraged to stay calm and avoid taking justice into their own hands, allowing the police to conduct a thorough investigation.’

PUNCH Metro stated on Friday that the Imo State Government destroyed the Ugwudi Cottage Hospital Mortuary in Umuchem, Umuhu community, located within the Ngor Okpala Local Government Area, after finding dismembered and unidentifiable bodies at the site.

A hotel named Jessy Best Hotel along with two residential structures located at Amaeke Ngor, which belong to Stanley Oparaugo, widely referred to as Morocco, were also destroyed as per the governor’s order.

Oparaugo was reportedly listed as a person of interest by the authorities due to suspected participation in ritualistic murders, abductions, extraction of body parts, and additional offenses within the state.

Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).