Imo Govt seals hotel, mortuary after grisly discovery of mutilated corpses

The Imo State Government has shut down a hotel and a private mortuary in Umuhu Autonomous Community, Ngor-Okpala, after security operatives uncovered decomposed and mutilated bodies in highly unhygienic conditions, a discovery that has heightened fears of illegal organ-harvesting activities in the area.

The operation formed part of an ongoing clampdown on kidnapping and violent crimes along the Owerri–Aba Expressway.

It was led by the Commissioner of Police, Aboki Danjuma, in collaboration with government officials and community stakeholders.

According to a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Okoye Henry and obtained by Very Nigerian, the raid followed credible intelligence on a wanted suspect, Stanley Morocco Oparaugo, who is still on the run.

Henry said investigators inspected a hotel and private mortuary allegedly owned by the suspect and believed to be used as operational bases by kidnappers and violent criminals.

“At the mortuary, officers discovered decomposed and mutilated corpses dumped in unhealthy conditions, prompting serious suspicion of illegal organ harvesting,” the statement noted.

Following the shocking find, the state government ordered the immediate sealing of both facilities.

A search was also conducted at the suspect’s residence, where what the police described as ‘crucial exhibits’ were recovered.

The Commissioner of Police has assured residents that all accomplices linked to the crime will be tracked down and prosecuted.

Oparaugo has since been declared wanted, with police urging anyone with useful information to report to the nearest station.

In addition, maximum security personnel have been deployed along the busy Owerri–Aba corridor to ensure travellers’ safety during the festive period.

Meanwhile, the state police command is also facing public scrutiny after fresh allegations of unlawful detentions, torture and extrajudicial killings by the anti-kidnapping unit, known as the Tiger Base Unit.

The calls for investigation intensified following the case of Levi Opara, a 46-year-old businessman who died under controversial circumstances while in the unit’s custody last year.

Opara, a father of five from Emekuku in Owerri North LGA, was arrested on October 15, 2023 after a domestic issue with his wife.

His family said despite multiple attempts to secure his release, he was later confirmed dead on October 18, with conflicting explanations about the events leading to his death.

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