Police in Edo State have taken a mortuary attendant into custody following allegations that vital organs were missing from a corpse kept at Akugbe Mortuary in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area.
The incident occurred in the Upper Sakponba area and sparked tension when relatives arrived to collect the body for burial. Family members reportedly raised an alarm after noticing irregularities and accused a mortuary worker of tampering with the remains.
Eyewitnesses said the situation quickly turned chaotic as tempers rose among relatives and friends of the deceased. They alleged that organs had been removed, triggering threats of violence and plans to vandalise the facility.
A resident, Osaro Ivie, said the crowd attempted to attack the attendant before security operatives intervened.
Confirming the incident on Sunday, the Edo State Police Command said it received a distress call about a mob gathering at the mortuary.
Police spokesperson, ASP Eno Ikoedem, said officers from the Ugbekun Division responded promptly and rescued the suspect from the crowd.
“The attendant was saved from being lynched and taken into custody after allegations of organ removal from a corpse,” she said.
ASP Ikoedem added that the suspect is now detained at the State Criminal Investigation Department, where investigators are examining the claims.
She urged residents to remain calm and allow the police to complete a thorough investigation, assuring that due process would be followed.
