Imo State Police Command has uncovered a shocking illegal mortuary in Umuechem Umuhu community along the Aba-Owerri Expressway, allegedly serving as a hub for organ harvesting and mutilated corpse disposal.
The facility, operating under the guise of Ugwidi Cottage Hospital and Mortuary Services, was exposed through credible intelligence, revealing hundreds of dismembered and decomposing bodies stacked on the premises.
Commissioner of Police Aboki Danjuma personally led journalists and state government officials on a tour of the grim site in Ngor Okpala Local Government Area.
Danjuma disclosed that the suspected operator, Stanley “Morocco” Oparaugo, remains at large as security forces intensify efforts to apprehend him.
The discovery has sent ripples of alarm through the community, highlighting the depth of criminal networks exploiting vulnerable areas.
Acting on evaluated tips, police raided the facility and confirmed it functioned as a dumping ground for victims believed to be targeted in organ trafficking syndicates.
Eyewitness accounts from the inspection described a horrifying scene: mutilated remains in various stages of decomposition, underscoring the facility’s role in concealing heinous crimes.
This operation marks a significant breakthrough in tackling rising organ harvesting cases in the region.
Further investigations revealed a clever front for the illicit activities—a hotel operated by the suspect directly in front of the morgue.
CP Danjuma assured the public that, pending necessary approvals and due process from the state government, the entire structure would be demolished to eradicate any remnants of the criminal enterprise. He emphasized the police’s commitment to dismantling such hideouts.
A deeper search of the premises uncovered additional evidence of wrongdoing, including a shrine believed to belong to Oparaugo.
Authorities suspect this space doubled as a hideout for kidnapping operations, linking the site to broader criminality plaguing the area.
The shrine’s discovery adds a ritualistic dimension to the probe, prompting questions about the extent of the suspect’s network.
The facility’s illegality was verified by Imo State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Chioma Egu, who confirmed it was not listed among registered morgues.
Dr. Egu declared the site a major public health hazard, citing risks of disease spread from the decomposing bodies to nearby residents.
The state government has moved swiftly to quarantine the area, urging caution for commuters and locals.
In recent months, the Aba-Owerri Road has emerged as a notorious hotspot for kidnappings, armed robberies, and other violent crimes, instilling fear among residents and travelers.
This raid comes amid heightened security measures in Imo State, with hopes that it will deter further incidents. As police close in on Oparaugo and his accomplices, communities along the expressway anticipate a safer environment.
Residents and commuters expressed cautious optimism that the exposure of this illegal morgue will significantly curb crime rates.
Local voices called for sustained vigilance and collaboration between security agencies and communities to root out similar threats.
The incident underscores the urgent need for stronger oversight of healthcare facilities and infrastructure policing in high-risk corridors.