By Austin Ogwuda
THE corpse of a 78-year-old year old man alleged to have been deposited at the Nigerian Navy Hospital mortuary, Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria, has been reported missing.
The Townhall gathered that the bizzare incident might be traceable to deep family feud between the siblings and some extended family members engaged in battle of supremacy.
According to Daily Trust, two children of the deceased, namely Omokiniovo Ighorhiohwunu and Mr. Duke Ighorhiohwunu were said to have deposited the corpse at the mortuary on November 21, 2024.
Already, a Human Rights Activist, Comrade Ighorhiohwunu Aghogho has on behalf of the family petitioned the Police over the matter.
In the petition, Comrade Aghogho stated that his siblings, Mr. Duke Ighorhiohwunu and Mr. Omokiniovo Ighorhiohwunu. deposited their father’s corpse at the Navy hospital mortuary Effurun and duly signed for it.
“We are shocked and distressed by the sudden disappearance of our father’s corpse and urge you to investigate this matter urgently. The Police should take immediate actions to investigate the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of our father’s corpse; identify those responsible for the disappearance.
“Take necessary actions to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice, assist us in locating our father’s corpse and ensuring its safe return to us for proper burial”, the petition stated.
The authorities of the Nigerian Navy Hospital, Effurun however vehemently denied the allegations leveled against it.
A letter quoted by Daily Trust purportedly signed by one Lt Ogo on behalf of the Commander and referenced to the Delta State High Court, reads: “I am directed to respond to your service of a court document listing this Hospital as the 10th respondent identified by Suit number at Reference .
“Following a review of our records, I am to respectfully inform you that there is no deceased person registered under the referenced in our facility. Please accept the assurance of the esteemed regards of the Commander”.
The Nigerian Army, 3 Battalion, Effurun in Uvwie Local Government Area, according to the report has taken up the matter.
“In a chat with our correspondent (Daily Trust), a female Military Police Officer (names withheld) said the Army had invited the Human Rights Activist, Comrade Aghogho over the matter following a petition before it.
“The Nigerian Army got involved in this matter because the brother in-law is a serving personnel. He serves in Ondo State. His sister received a call from her brother, Aghogho, which I cannot quote because he is the only one that can clear that, this is not my voice because I don’t know him.
“Our own, we are going to follow up so that there will be no corruption. Who deserves justice should be given. Who deserves punishment should be given.
“We can know how to identify the father. We can enter the mortuary and check if the father is there for further clarification. That’s where we see the military came in because the Navy is being accused which we don’t know. For now, it is an accusation”, reported Daily Trust.
*Source: Daily Trust
