Operatives of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command have uncovered what investigators believe was a disturbing "second-hand casket" racket following the arrest of a cemetery manager and a gravedigger.

They were both accused of exhuming a freshly buried corpse to steal and resell its casket.

The suspects, identified as Nsikak Effiong and the manager of Mbiokporo Cemetery, Elijah Matthew Edet, were arrested after police foiled an attempt to move the stolen casket from the cemetery under the cover of darkness.

Police spokesperson, Timfon John, said the operation began after a vigilant resident alerted security operatives to two men transporting a casket on an unregistered motorcycle around 11:30 p.m. on August 3.

When confronted, one suspect escaped, while Effiong was arrested and handed over to the police.

During interrogation, he allegedly confessed that he and his accomplice exhumed a freshly buried corpse, removed the body from the casket and planned to sell the casket for financial gain, effectively returning it to the market as a used or "second-hand" casket.

The empty casket and the motorcycle used in the operation were recovered by the police.

Further investigations led to the arrest of cemetery manager Elijah Matthew Edet, who allegedly admitted conspiring with the grave diggers, claiming it was his first involvement in such an act.

The Commissioner of Police, Baba Azare, described the incident as barbaric, sacrilegious and a gross violation of the dignity of the dead.

He ordered a thorough investigation to identify and prosecute everyone connected with the alleged crime.

Police also praised the vigilance of the resident whose timely intervention prevented the suspects from escaping with the stolen casket.

Authorities said efforts are ongoing to apprehend the remaining suspect who is still on the run.