There was widespread panic on Saturday morning at the bustling Ikoku Market in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, after traders and residents discovered a mutilated corpse near the entrance of a new-generation bank at Ayama Junction, along Olu-Obasanjo Road. According to the Rivers State Police Command, which confirmed the incident, preliminary investigations revealed that the victim had a history of notorious behavior and was possibly lynched by members of the community.
Reports indicated that the male victim, whose identity remains unknown, showed signs of brutal assault, including machete cuts. Additionally, his private parts were missing, leading to fears that the murder might have been linked to ritualistic practices.
A source at the market, identified as Emeka, described the grisly scene, noting that the victim’s stomach had been ripped open, with his intestines reportedly removed.
Despite these alarming findings, Emeka emphasized that the identity of the deceased had not yet been confirmed. However, Rivers State Police Public Relations Officer, Grace Iringe-Koko, a Superintendent of Police, refuted claims of organ harvesting. She clarified that, while the body bore visible signs of violence, all of the victim’s vital organs were intact.
Iringe-Koko further explained, “On November 9, 2024, at approximately 10:30 AM, the police received a report about an unidentified corpse found near Ayama Junction/Ikokwu Spare Parts Market. Our operatives responded promptly to investigate the matter.”
