Police Launche Investigation into Alleged Mutilation of Corpse in Edo Mortuary

Edo State Police Command has launched an intensive and investigation into a disturbing allegation of unlawful tampering with a human corpse and alleged theft of human parts at Akugbe Mortuary, located off Upper Sakponba Road, Benin City—an incident that sparked public outrage and nearly culminated in mob violence.

On December 12, 2025, the Command received an urgent distress call indicating that a mortuary attendant was on the verge of being lynched by an irate crowd over allegations of organ harvesting. Acting with swift precision, the Divisional Police Officer, Ugbekun Division, immediately mobilized operatives to the scene and successfully rescued the suspect, thereby averting a breakdown of law and order.

Preliminary investigation revealed that one Marvelous Odeh and others had visited the mortuary to claim the corpse of one late Uyi Enogieru for burial. However, upon completion of the required formalities, it was discovered that the corpse had been unlawfully interfered with and some body parts were missing, prompting the report to the Police.

The suspect has since been taken into custody and, on the directive of the Commissioner of Police, Edo State Command, CP Monday Agbonika, FDC, the case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for thorough, professional, and discreet investigation to unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The Edo State Police Command assures members of the public that no stone will be left unturned in uncovering the truth and ensuring that anyone found culpable is brought to justice in accordance with the law. Members of the public are urged to remain calm and refrain from taking the law into their own hands, while allowing the Police to carry out a comprehensive investigation.