The Imo State Government has shut down a hotel and a privately owned mortuary allegedly linked to kidnapping activities and suspected organ harvesting. The closure followed a joint operation by the state police command and other security agencies, who acted on what they described as credible intelligence.
The State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Okoye Henry, confirmed the development in a statement shared on Sunday via the command’s official X handle. According to him, the operation was part of a wider crackdown on violent crimes along the Owerri–Aba Expressway, a route that has recorded several cases of kidnapping, armed robbery, and other criminal activities in recent years.
The targeted facilities, both owned by a man identified as Stanley Morocco Oparaugo, were sealed after police officers discovered decomposed and mutilated bodies at the mortuary. Authorities say Oparaugo, described as the prime suspect, is currently at large.
According to the police spokesperson, intelligence reports indicated that Oparaugo had been running criminal operations under the guise of hospitality and health services. Officers acting on the tip-off visited the suspect’s hotel and mortuary, where they made disturbing findings that raised concerns about illegal activities, including possible trafficking in human organs.
“At the mortuary, decomposed and mutilated corpses were discovered in unhygienic conditions, raising suspicions of illegal organ-harvesting activities,” ASP Henry said.
He added that both facilities had been immediately sealed on the directive of the Imo State Government to prevent tampering with evidence and ensure proper investigation.
The suspect’s residence was also searched, and investigators reportedly recovered “crucial exhibits,” although the police did not disclose the nature of the items for security reasons.
This latest development is part of what authorities describe as an intensified security operation along major roads in Imo State. The Owerri–Aba Expressway, in particular, has become a hotspot for kidnappers who target travellers, businesspeople, and residents moving in and out of the state.
The Commissioner of Police, Aboki Danjuma, who is leading the current crackdown, has been working alongside other security agencies, including local vigilante groups and community stakeholders, to restore safety in the region.
In recent months, Imo State has seen an increase in security efforts following repeated cases of abductions linked to criminal gangs operating between Imo and neighbouring states. The discovery of the mortuary and the suspected link to organ harvesting has therefore heightened public concern and prompted calls for more coordinated security measures.
The Imo State Government acted swiftly by ordering the closure of both the hotel and the mortuary pending the outcome of the investigation. Government officials say the state will not tolerate any criminal activity, especially those that endanger lives or undermine public health.
Imo State has faced serious security challenges over the past four years. Beyond kidnapping, the state has battled attacks on police stations, killings linked to unknown gunmen, and violent clashes in some communities. These incidents have forced the government and security agencies to adopt more aggressive strategies, particularly in areas known for criminal activity.
The Owerri–Aba Expressway, where the current investigation is focused, has been a troubled route. Many travellers have reported cases of sudden roadblocks by armed men who abduct passengers or rob them at gunpoint. Residents say the situation has discouraged business activities and made travel risky, especially at night.
The news of decomposed and mutilated bodies found in a mortuary has shocked many residents of the state. Social media users, community leaders, and civil society groups have expressed outrage, calling on the police to thoroughly investigate the matter and ensure that everyone involved in the alleged crimes is brought to justice.
Meanwhile, the police say efforts are underway to track down the main suspect, Oparaugo. Security agencies are calling on members of the public to provide useful information that could lead to his arrest.
The command has also warned that anyone found aiding the suspect or helping him evade arrest will be treated as an accomplice.
