From Abubakar Rabilu, Gombe
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Gombe has arrested six men for allegedly exhuming a corpse and harvesting human parts for ritual purposes in Kwami Local Government Area.
The Command’s spokesperson, SC Buhari Sa’ad, said the suspects dug up the grave of 85-year-old Mallam Manu Wanzam, who was buried on September 9 at Gadam North Cemetery.
The alleged ringleader, 39-year-old Kawuji Sarki, a father of six, confessed that one Aliyu Chindo contracted them to extract the eyes of the deceased for ₦500,000 each.
According to him, Chindo disappeared with the body parts after collecting them, leaving the gang unpaid before NSCDC operatives swooped on them.
The other suspects were identified as Adamu Umar, 22; Umar Jibrin Aboki, 21; Abdullahi Umar Dauda, 17; Muhammed Isa Chindo, 28; and Manu Sale, 23. One accomplice remains at large.
Gombe State Commandant Jibrin Idris described the incident as “barbaric” and assured that the suspects would be charged to court upon completion of investigations.