Dr Abubakar Aliagan of the University of llorin, on Monday urged the police to provide adequate security to cemeteries, to stop the exhumation and mutilation of dead bodies in the state.

Aliagan, who made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ilorin, said the practice has become rampant especially in Ilorin, the state capital.

He said the police should mount 24-hour surveillance to track down the perpetrators.

The don also urged the management of various cemeteries in the state to employ capable guards to complement the effort of the police in protecting the cemeteries.

Aliagan commended the state police command for the recent arrest of a syndicate, including a pastor, over alleged exhumation of dead bodies at a cemetery adjacent to the llorin Eid praying ground.

He described the desecration of cemeteries as immoral, and said those caught should be prosecuted.

Aliagan advised Muslims and Christians in the state to always be vigilant and report any suspicious movement of people around cemeteries in their area to the police.