Police Arrest Mortuary Attendant Over Alleged Organ Harvesting in Edo

The Edo State Police Command has arrested a mortuary attendant over allegations of unlawful interference with a corpse and the removal of body parts at Akugbe Mortuary along Upper Sakponba Road, Benin City.

The incident, which occurred on December 12, 2025, triggered public outrage and nearly led to mob action before police intervention. According to a statement by the command, officers were alerted through a distress call that the suspect was about to be lynched by an angry crowd over claims of organ harvesting.

Operatives from the Ugbekun Division were immediately deployed to the scene, where they rescued the suspect and restored calm, preventing a breakdown of law and order.

Preliminary investigations revealed that Marvelous Odeh and others had visited the mortuary to collect the body of the late Uyi Enogieru for burial. However, after completing the necessary formalities, the family reportedly discovered that the corpse had been tampered with and that some body parts were missing, prompting them to report the matter to the police.

The suspect has since been taken into custody. On the directive of the Commissioner of Police in Edo State, CP Monday Agbonika, the case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for a thorough and discreet investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the alleged act.

The police command assured the public that a comprehensive investigation is underway and that anyone found culpable will be prosecuted in line with the law. Residents were also urged to remain calm and refrain from taking the law into their own hands while investigations continue.