The Imo State Government has taken drastic action, ordering the immediate closure of a hotel and a private mortuary in Ngor-Okpala Local Government Area. This decisive move came after a shocking security raid uncovered decomposed and mutilated human bodies, pointing to the gruesome activities of a suspected kidnapping ring.
Grisly Discovery in Ngor-Okpala
On Saturday, December 7, 2025, a joint security operation led by the State Commissioner of Police, Aboki Danjuma, stormed facilities along the Owerri–Aba Expressway in Umuhu Autonomous Community. The operation, based on intelligence reports, targeted locations linked to a notorious wanted suspect, Stanley Morocco Oparaugo.
Police spokesperson, DSP Okoye Henry, confirmed the horrifying find. "At the mortuary, decomposed and mutilated corpses were discovered in unhygienic conditions, raising suspicions of illegal organ-harvesting activities," Henry stated. The state government subsequently directed that both the hotel and mortuary be sealed indefinitely.
Authorities also conducted a search of the suspect's residence, recovering items described as "crucial exhibits" for their investigation. The police have declared Stanley Morocco Oparaugo wanted and have appealed to the public for information on his whereabouts.
Security Beefed Up Amid Public Scrutiny
In response to the disturbing discovery, the police command has deployed maximum security personnel along the Owerri–Aba Expressway. DSP Henry assured travellers that the command is committed to ensuring safety, especially during the ongoing holiday season.
However, this development has intensified existing public concerns about policing methods in Imo State. Residents and rights groups are now vocally demanding an independent investigation into the Command's anti-kidnapping unit, known as the Tiger Base Unit.
The calls follow allegations of unlawful detentions, extrajudicial killings, and torture linked to the unit. The demands gained urgency after the controversial death of businessman Levi Opara, a 46-year-old father of five from Emekuku.
Family Seeks Justice for Levi Opara
Opara was arrested on October 15, 2023, after what his family described as a minor domestic issue with his wife. Shockingly, he was reported dead just three days later while in the custody of the Tiger Base Unit. The police have provided conflicting accounts of the circumstances surrounding his death, and an official response to the allegations against the unit is still pending.
Human rights advocates insist that a thorough and transparent inquiry is now imperative. They argue that the recent gruesome findings in Ngor-Okpala and the serious allegations against the police anti-kidnapping squad must be addressed to restore public trust.
The public has called on the Inspector-General of Police, the Police Service Commission, and human rights organizations to intervene and ensure a comprehensive probe into both the kidnap syndicate and the conduct of the security unit tasked with combating such crimes.
