The Edo State Police Command has ordered a postmortem examination into allegations of the removal of vital organs from a corpse at a mortuary in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of the state.
The incident, which reportedly occurred on Friday, December 12, 2025, involved the mortuary wing of Akugbe Medical Centre, Upper Sokponoba Road, Benin City. The mortician, Mr. Obakpolor Idahosa, 60, has been taken into protective custody and will remain detained pending the outcome of the postmortem.
Confirming the development on Tuesday, the Public Relations Officer of the Edo State Police Command, ASP Eno Ikoedem, said the postmortem examination would determine whether the corpse was tampered with, as alleged by the family of the deceased.
She noted that the findings would guide further investigation and possible prosecution.
Investigators from the Homicide Unit of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), alongside this reporter, visited the affected mortuary to assess the situation.
Sources disclosed that the mortuary attendant, described as a seasoned practitioner with over 30 years of experience, may also face charges for disrespect to a corpse, following allegations of unprofessional handling of the body.
The deceased was identified as Mr. Uyi Enogieru, 45, a commercial tricycle (keke) rider at Nomayo area of Benin City and a native of Urhonigbe Community in Orhionmwon Local Government Area. His corpse was reportedly deposited at the mortuary in October.
Trouble reportedly started when family members arrived to collect the body for burial and allegedly discovered that vital organs, including the heart, eyes and kidney, were missing.
The mortician’s alleged inability to provide a satisfactory explanation reportedly sparked outrage, leading to violence at the facility. Other morticians and hospital staff were said to have fled the premises as angry mourners attacked the centre.
The unrest reportedly left patients on admission and families who had come to claim the remains of their relatives stranded, while security agencies later intervened to restore calm.
