The Imo State Government has sealed a hotel and a private mortuary at Umuhu Autonomous Community in Ngor-Okpala Local Government Area over suspected illegal human organ harvesting.
This is contained in a statement issued on Saturday and shared on Sunday by the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Henry Okoye.
Okoye said the facilities were sealed following the discovery of decomposed and mutilated corpses kept in unhygienic conditions.
According to him, the action followed an intelligence-led operation carried out by the police in collaboration with other security agencies as part of an ongoing crackdown on kidnapping and violent crimes along the Owerri–Aba Expressway.
“A hotel and a private mortuary allegedly owned by a suspect, Stanley Morocco Oparaugo, and reportedly used by kidnappers and other violent criminals were inspected.
“At the mortuary, decomposed and mutilated corpses were found in unhygienic conditions, raising suspicions of illegal organ-harvesting activities,” Okoye said.
He added that “following these discoveries, the Imo State Government directed that both the hotel and mortuary be sealed, while the suspect’s residence was also searched and exhibits were recovered.”
The police spokesman said Oparaugo, who is currently at large, had been declared wanted.
“Anyone with useful information that can lead to his arrest is advised to report to the nearest police station,” he said.
Okoye said the Commissioner of Police, Aboki Danjuma, assured the public that all accomplices would be identified and brought to justice, adding that “maximum security has been deployed along the Owerri–Aba Expressway.”
He further assured travellers, especially during the festive period, of the command’s commitment to ensuring their safety.
