There was panic at Akugbe Medical Centre, Upper Sakponba Road, Benin City, Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State, last Friday following allegations that vital organs were missing from a corpse at the hospital’s mortuary.
It was gathered that the incident occurred when family members and friends of a deceased man had gone to claim the corpse for burial, allegedly discovered that the body had been tampered with.
One mortuary attendant Mr. Obakpolor has since been arrested and is currently in police custody as investigations commence.
According to reports, the deceased, identified as Mr. Uyi, aged 45, a commercial tricycle (Keke) rider at Nomayo area and a native of Urhonigbe Community in Orhionmwon Local Government Area, died under suspicious circumstances, last October.
His body it was further scooped was deposited at the private mortuary for burial preparations.
Sources disclosed that his family members and friends reportedly raised alarm after noticing an unusual hole in the chest of the corpse as they alleged that the heart and a kidney had been harvested.
It was gathered that professional explanations offered by the attending mortician failed to address their concerns.
The situation reportedly escalated into violence as mourners attacked the mortuary attendant and damaged a window in the hospital, causing patients and staff to flee in fear.
When our correspondent visited the medical facility on Sunday to obtain comments from the management, the Medical Director was said to be unavailable. Requests for his phone contact were declined.
It was observed that the two female staff on duty attended to visitors under fear of further attacks.
Residents of the area expressed shock over the incident, noting that the medical centre has operated for more than 20 years without any such controversy.
They called for calm while police and relevant authorities conduct thorough investigations.
Confirming the incident, the Public Relations Officer of the Edo State Police Command, ASP Eno Ikoedem, said a mortician had been arrested in connection with the alleged mutilation at Akugbe Medical Centre, Upper Sakponba Road, Benin City.

