The Akwa Ibom State Police Command says it has arrested two suspects including the manager of Mbiokporo cemetery for alleged exhumation of a freshly buried corpse and the theft of a casket. 

The Police Spokesperson in the State, DSP Timfon John who disclosed this in a statement in Uyo on Thursday said the incident happened on August 3, 2026, at about 11:30 p.m, following a distress call from a vigilant member.

She stated that the complainant disclosed that he noticed suspicious activities at the cemetery after observing two men transporting a casket on an unregistered motorcycle in the dark.

She said, “Acting on the suspicion, the complainant confronted the suspects to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the movement of the casket at such an unusual hour. 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 Police recovered the empty casket as well as the unregistered motorcycle used in conveying the stolen property, while investigations were immediately expanded to uncover the full circumstances surrounding the crime and identify all persons connected to the act.

“Further investigation yielded another major breakthrough on 5th August, 2026, at about 5:00 p.m., with the arrest of one Elijah Matthew Edet, the Manager of Mbiokporo Cemetery. During interrogation, the suspect 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.”

While noting that efforts are being intensified to apprehend  the fleeing suspects, the spokesperson said the Commissioner of Police, 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 the cultural and religious values of our society.

The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested a 35-year-old suspect and recovered stolen roofing materials valued at N2.26 million following a theft incident in Azare, Katagum Local Government Area of the state.

The command’s spokesperson, SP Nafiu Habib, in a statement said the arrest was made through intelligence-led policing and routine visibility patrols.

Habib said the case was reported on Tuesday by a 35-year-old shop owner from Gandunwambai, Azare, who discovered that unknown persons had broken into his shop along Kano Road using a master key and carted away 460 metres of Stonecut roofing sheets.

He said detectives from the Azare Police Division were immediately deployed to the scene and, acting on credible intelligence, intercepted the stolen materials along the Azare–Jama’are Road.

According to the police, one suspect, Muktari Rufa’i, 35, was arrested during the operation, while the recovered roofing sheets were valued at N2,260,000.

Habib said the suspect confessed during interrogation and allegedly identified one Evra Pizo, said to be from the same address, as his accomplice.

He added that the second suspect is currently on the run and efforts are ongoing to apprehend him.

The police spokesperson said the arrested suspect remained in custody at the Azare Division and that the matter would be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Bauchi for further investigation and prosecution.

The Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, commended the Divisional Police Officer and officers of the Azare Division for their swift response, urging residents to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies.

Katsina State Hisbah Board has directed its personnel to obtain valid court orders or arrest warrants before entering hotels or private residences in the course of their official duties.

The directive was contained in an internal circular issued by the board and addressed to all local government commanders and headquarters personnel.

According to the circular, the decision followed a resolution reached at one of the board’s regular meetings and took immediate effect.

The board directed that officers must obtain a valid court order or arrest warrant before conducting searches or entering hotels and residential premises, except where the Commandant General or existing laws expressly provide otherwise.

It said the directive was introduced to ensure compliance with existing laws governing law enforcement operations and the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution.

The board also warned commanders and other personnel against authorising or carrying out searches of hotels or private residences without the required legal approval, except in circumstances permitted by law.

It instructed all local government commanders to communicate the directive to officers under their command and ensure full compliance.

The circular emphasised the need for personnel to respect the constitutional rights of citizens and carry out their duties in accordance with due process and the rule of law.

The board warned that any officer who violates the directive would face disciplinary measures in addition to any legal consequences arising from such actions.