Police Shut Down Mortuary, Hotel Over Kidnapping and Organ Harvesting Allegations

Amid rising incidents of kidnapping and violent attacks along the Owerri–Aba Expressway, the Imo State government has sealed a mortuary and hotel in Umuhu, Ngor Okpala Local Government Area, over alleged links to criminal activities.

The Imo State Police Command has also declared the owner of the two facilities, Stanley Morocco Oparaugo, wanted for allegedly allowing his premises to be used as hideouts for kidnappers and other violent offenders.
This was disclosed in a statement issued by the command’s spokesperson, Henry Okoye.

On Saturday, the Commissioner of Police, Aboki Danjuma, visited the mortuary and hotel alongside the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Chioma Egu; the Chief Pathologist of the Imo State Specialist Hospital, Dr. Ibeaja Okechukwu; members of the Ngor Okpala Vigilante Group led by Henry Ikpe; and the Chairman of Ngor Okpala LGA, Mrs. Chika Ibekwe. The facilities are located in Umuhu autonomous community, after the Ihitte junction.

According to Okoye, officers found decomposed and mutilated bodies inside the mortuary, heightening suspicions of organ-harvesting activities.
He added that forensic experts documented and secured evidence gathered during the inspection, assuring the public that all persons involved would be traced and prosecuted.

The statement explained that the police team was acting on credible intelligence regarding Oparaugo, who is currently on the run. The suspect’s hotel and private mortuary were inspected and found to have allegedly been used by kidnappers and violent criminals. The discovery of mutilated corpses in poor conditions further intensified concerns about illegal organ harvesting.

Following the findings, both facilities were sealed on the orders of the state government. A search was also carried out at the suspect’s residence, where significant exhibits were recovered.
The statement stressed that ongoing investigations would ensure that every accomplice is identified and brought to justice.

The police command added that additional security personnel have been deployed along the Owerri–Aba Expressway to ensure safer travel during the festive season.