Delta family, hospital clash over missing 78-year-old’s corpse
A family in Delta State is in distress after the corpse of a 78-year-old man allegedly went missing from the mortuary of the Nigerian Navy Hospital, Effurun, in the Uvwie Local Government Area of the state.
A human rights activist, Ighorhiohwunu Aghogho, who is one of the deceased’s children, has filed a petition with the Divisional Police Officer of Ekpan Division, CSP Aliyu Shaba, on behalf of the family.
PUNCH Metro learnt that two of the deceased’s children, Omokiniovo Ighorhiohwunu and Duke Ighorhiohwunu, deposited their father’s corpse at the hospital mortuary on November 21, 2024.
In his petition to the police, Aghogho stated, “We are shocked and distressed by the sudden disappearance of our father’s corpse and urge you (police) to investigate this matter urgently.”
He urged the DPO to, “Investigate the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of our father’s corpse and identify those responsible for the disappearance. Take necessary actions to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice and assist us in locating our father’s corpse and ensuring its safe return to us for proper burial.”
Aghogho also pleaded with the police to do everything possible “to ensure that justice is served in the matter.”
However, the management of the Nigerian Navy Hospital, Effurun, has denied the allegations in a response letter with reference A: HCI/FR/32/2024, filed at the Registry of the High Court of Justice, Isiokolo.
The letter, signed by Lt. Ogo on behalf of the Commander, referred to the Delta State High Court case, stating, “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 A. The said service was received on 17th February 2025.
“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.”
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army, 3 Battalion, Effurun, has reportedly taken up the matter after a human rights activist (name withheld) petitioned the Battalion against Aghogho Ighorhiohwunu, who claimed his father’s body disappeared from the hospital.
A female military police officer, identified as Ruth John, told our correspondent during a phone call on Monday night that “the Army has already invited Aghogho over the matter following a petition before it.”
The Divisional Police Headquarters at Ovwian in Udu LGA has reportedly begun investigating the alleged involvement of military personnel in the case, which is under police jurisdiction.
