Police uncover 20 corpses in shrine in Edo

The Edo police command says it uncovered a shrine in a building along Asoro slope, off Ekenhuan road, in Uzebu quarters, Benin.

The command, in a statement by Jennifer Iwegbu, its deputy police public relations officer, said 20 mummified bodies were recovered at the shrine.

Iwegbu said three suspects were arrested at the scene on Wednesday night.

She added that the arrest was possible following credible information received by the force.

“In pursuance of its operational mandate of nipping crimes in the bud, operatives of the Edo state police command on 17/08/2022 discovered a suspected ritual shrine,” she said.

“Following credible information that some corpses were discovered in a building along Asoro slope off Ekenhua Road, Uzebu quarters, Benin city, operatives of the command immediately mobilised to the scene.

“At the scene, three suspects, Chimaobi Okoewu ‘M’ and Oko Samuel ‘M’ both of Afikpo in Ebonyi and Gideon Sunday ‘M’ of Akwa-Ibom state were arrested while others fled. An intensive effort is ongoing to arrest the other fleeing suspects.

“15 mummified male corpses, 3 mummified female corpses and 2 mummified children corpses were discovered at the scene.”

She added that Abutu Yaro, the state commissioner of police, has directed an investigation into the incident.

“To this end, the Edo State Commissioner of Police, CP Abutu Yaro, fdc, has directed the deputy commissioner of police in charge of state CID to carry out a discreet investigation to unravel the circumstances surrounding the discovered corpses and therefore enjoins the general public to be calm as the command will continue to ensure the safety of all law-abiding citizens and those residing in Edo state,” she said.