A mortuary scandal in Edo State has sparked outrage after a family alleged that vital organs were removed from the body of their relative kept in a private facility in the Upper Sakponba axis of Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area. The incident reportedly unfolded at Akugbe Mortuary, where the deceased’s relatives arrived to collect the body for burial and claimed they discovered that the chest cavity had been emptied and crudely stuffed with nylon, fueling suspicions of ritual-related organ harvesting.
Eyewitness Osaro Ivie described the scene as chaotic, saying furious family members and friends threatened to lynch the mortuary attendant and burn down the premises before law enforcement agents stepped in. Police spokesperson ASP Eno Ikoedem confirmed that officers from Ugbekun Division were deployed after a distress call indicated a mob was on the verge of attacking a suspect at the mortuary, adding that the attendant was rescued, placed in custody and transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for a full probe into the allegations.
Ikoedem assured residents that investigators will thoroughly examine the circumstances surrounding the alleged organ removal and urged the public to remain calm and allow due process to run its course. The case has reignited public fears about organ trafficking and malpractice in some funeral facilities, with authorities under pressure to strengthen regulation and monitoring of mortuaries to protect bereaved families and preserve the dignity of the dead.