UPDATE: Authorities in southeastern Nigeria have just uncovered a shocking organ-trafficking ring operating out of a seemingly ordinary hotel and mortuary in the town of Ngor Okpala. The Imo State Police Command confirmed that their investigation was triggered by a recent surge in kidnappings near the Jessy Best Hotel and the adjacent Ugwudi mortuary.
Police launched weeks of undercover surveillance, leading them to identify the main suspect: High Chief Stanley Oparaugo, also known locally as “Morocco.” Oparaugo, who is believed to own both the hotel and the mortuary, is currently on the run as police intensify their manhunt.
Authorities revealed that victims were allegedly lured to the hotel, only to be robbed and abducted. Families were forced to pay ransom, but many never saw their loved ones again. The situation took a horrific turn when police raided the properties, uncovering disturbing evidence.
Inside the mortuary, officers discovered more than 100 decomposed and mutilated bodies, raising serious suspicions of illegal organ-harvesting activities. Police spokesperson Henry Okoye detailed the grim findings, describing the conditions as “unhygienic and deeply suspicious.”
“Investigators found decomposed and mutilated corpses, indicating a horrifying network of kidnappers and violent criminals,” Okoye stated. The hotel had already been abandoned, but the adjacent mortuary revealed the grim reality of what transpired there.
In addition to the bodies, police also searched Oparaugo’s residence, recovering crucial exhibits that are currently being analyzed by forensic teams. Investigators believe that the abducted victims were transported from the hotel to the mortuary, where they were killed and their organs harvested for sale.
The Imo State Police Command is also taking steps to enhance security in the region, particularly along the Owerri–Aba Expressway, to protect travelers during the holiday season. Local authorities are ramping up their efforts to combat the ongoing surge in kidnappings and violent crime across Nigeria.
The investigation unfolds amid a broader crisis of insecurity in Nigeria. Just last month, the federal government secured the release of 100 schoolchildren taken from St. Mary’s School in Papiri, Niger state, highlighting the urgent need for action against rising violence.
International concern continues to mount, with leaders like President Donald Trump labeling Nigeria a “country of particular concern” as Christians face ongoing persecution in the region.
As police continue to chase down leads, the urgency of the situation grows. Authorities urge anyone with information about Oparaugo’s whereabouts to come forward. This developing story is likely to evolve rapidly, and further updates will be provided as the investigation continues.
