The Imo State Government has sealed a hotel and a privately owned mortuary in Umuhu Autonomous Community, Ngor-Okpala, following the discovery of decomposed and mutilated corpses suspected to be linked to illegal organ harvesting and kidnapping activities.
The operation was carried out on Saturday as part of an intensified crackdown on violent crimes and kidnapping along the Owerri–Aba Expressway. It was led by the Commissioner of Police, Aboki Danjuma, in collaboration with officials of the state government and other security stakeholders.
In a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Okoye Henry, the command said the action followed credible intelligence on a suspected criminal kingpin, Stanley Morocco Oparaugo, who is currently on the run.
According to Henry, investigators inspected a hotel and a private mortuary allegedly owned by Oparaugo. The facilities were reportedly being used as safe houses by kidnappers and violent criminal gangs.
“At the mortuary, several decomposed and mutilated corpses were found in unhygienic conditions, raising strong suspicions of illegal organ-harvesting activities,” the PPRO said.
Following the discovery, the state government ordered the immediate sealing of both facilities. A subsequent search of the suspect’s residence also led to the recovery of what police described as “crucial exhibits.”
The Commissioner of Police assured the public that all accomplices connected to the case would be tracked and prosecuted. He also urged residents to provide information that could lead to the arrest of the fleeing suspect.
“Stanley Morocco Oparaugo has been declared wanted. Anyone with useful information should contact the nearest police station,” the statement added.
Danjuma further announced that maximum security had been deployed along the Owerri–Aba Expressway, especially ahead of the holiday travel season.
Meanwhile, the development comes amid renewed public calls for an investigation into alleged human rights abuses by the police anti-kidnapping unit in Imo State, known as the Tiger Base Unit. The calls intensified after the reported death of a 46-year-old businessman, Levi Opara, who died under controversial circumstances while in the custody of the unit in October 2023.
