BY MIKE OSAROGIAGBON
Benin City, Edo, Nigeria – Vandals suspected to be corpse snatchers have attacked an embattled ‘mortuary’ where over 20 mummified bodies were discovered in Benin City, last August.
This was revealed when our crime correspondent fact-checked a tip-off received last week about the site along Asoro slope, Ekehuan road, Uzebu quarters in the State capital.
It was however not clear if the vandals gained access and removed any valuables from the facility.
A man seen before the building told our correspondent that he didn’t know the exact date the attack was launched.
He said he discovered the invasion shortly after he chased away two scavengers (Aboki) sighted in the bushy premises, a few weeks ago.
He said in pidgin English: “Na the thieves break (pointing towards the ‘mortuary’) that window glass. Whether dem fit pass there enter inside, I don’t know,” he explained.
A close look by our correspondent revealed complete damage of the tinted window glass thereby exposing a part of the apartment.
It was also observed that the ‘mortuary’ has been covered with tall grasses.
Sources said the facility has not been visited, opened by the owner or any government officials since last year.
In more pidgin English expression, he stated: “Oga, if not that some people work around here, some people for don bungle the building.
“Police and Edo State Security Network personnel dey guard the building that time the matter dey hot. Where dem now?
“This place is returning to the forest it was before the man bought the land. I nor think say government remember this matter again oh”, a casket seller stated.
Investigation by our correspondent revealed that the 20 mummified bodies may have been relocated from the embattled facility.
Contacted, the Public Relations Officer, Edo State Police Command, SP Chidi Nwabuzor said the police conducted a discreet investigation and charged the case to court.
“The building, premises and the bodies are now under the case of the Edo State government, you may check Ministry of Health.
“I am aware that the suspect is on court administrative bail”, he said.
Attempts to obtain comments from the permanent secretary, Edo State Ministry of Health, Dr. Stanley Ehiarimwan, failed.
He requested that our correspondent should reschedule his visit for another day as he had other engagements.
It would be recalled that over 20 mummified bodies were discovered in the building by operatives of Edo State Police Command, August 17, 2022.
The police tagged the building “a ritualists’ den”, attracting wild condemnations from the public especially social media users.
Police arrested some persons while the owner identified as one Chukwu Otu, a.k.a of St. Gabriel Funeral Home eventually turned himself in to the police days after he was reported to be on the run.
Investigation revealed that he was remanded and granted bail a few months after.
Attempts to reach St. Gabriel Chukwu Otu with a view to finding out if the court restrained him and his agents from entering the facility pending the determination of the case, failed.
Contacted his lawyer Barr. Leonard Osa-Uwagie said he was not aware of any restraining order.
He said that in the wake of the crisis operatives of Edo State Police Command sealed the facility and ever since, his client does not have access to it.
