The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Gombe State Command, has arrested six men accused of exhuming a corpse for ritual purposes in Kwami Local Government Area.
The suspects — Adamu Umar (22), Umar Jibrin Aboki (21), Abdullahi Umar Dauda (17), Muhammed Isa Chindo (28), Kawuji Sarki (39), and Manu Sale (23) — were apprehended on September 11, 2025, during a joint operation by operatives of the State Command Headquarters and Gadam Division between 10:00 and 11:00 pm.
According to the Command’s spokesperson, SC Buhari Saad, in a statement on Friday, the group allegedly desecrated the grave of 85-year-old Mallam Manu Wanzam, who had been buried just two days earlier.
“Investigation revealed that one Kawuji Sarki contracted Muhammed Isa Chindo, who further engaged the other suspects, to exhume the body and harvest human parts — specifically the eyes — at the price of ₦500,000 each,” Saad said.
He added that the suspects admitted to removing the deceased’s eyes before reburying the body. One accomplice remains at large, and security operatives are intensifying efforts to arrest him.
The State Commandant, Jibrin Idris, condemned the act, stressing the command’s resolve to protect communities.
“This crime is not only a violation of the law but also a grave assault on human dignity and cultural values. We want to assure the good people of Gombe State that justice will be served,” Idris said.
He commended residents for their cooperation and urged them to remain alert.
“We call on residents to report suspicious activities promptly to the nearest security formation. Together, we can defeat these criminal networks,” Idris added.
The NSCDC confirmed that the suspects will face charges in court once investigations are concluded.
Cases of grave desecration and human part harvesting remain a recurring trend in parts of Nigeria, often linked to ritual practices and the pursuit of wealth or power. Security agencies have consistently warned that such crimes not only break the law but also deeply offend communal and religious values.
Advertisement
