Corpse allegedly disappears from Navy hospital mortuary in Delta

The corpse of a seventy-eight-year-old man has allegedly disappeared from the Nigerian Navy Hospital mortuary, Effurun, in Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State.

The children of the deceased, Omokiniovo Ighorhiohwunu and Mr Duke Ighorhiohwunu, deposited their father’s corpse at the Navy hospital mortuary on November 21, 2024, DAILY POST can report.

A human rights activist, Comrade Ighorhiohwunu Aghogho, a son of the deceased, has petitioned the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Ekpan Division, CSP Aliyu Shaba, over the matter on behalf of his family.

In the petition, Comrade Aghogho maintained that his siblings, Mr. Duke Ighorhiohwunu and Mr. Omokiniovo Ighorhiohwunu, deposited their father’s corpse at the Navy hospital mortuary in 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.”

Comrade Aghogho requested the DPO to take immediate action to:

Investigate the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of their father’s corpse.

Identify those responsible for the disappearance and take necessary actions to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice.

Assist in locating their father’s corpse and ensuring its safe return for proper burial.

He also appealed to the police to do all they can to ensure that justice is served in the matter.

In a swift reaction, the Nigerian Navy Hospital, Effurun, in a response letter with reference A; HCI/FR/32/2024, filed at the Registry of the High Court of Justice, Isiokolo, denied the allegations leveled against it.

The Navy response letter, signed by Lt. Ogo on behalf of the Commander and referenced to the Delta State High Court, read: “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 name in our facility.

“Please accept the assurance of the esteemed regards of the Commander.”

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army, 3 Battalion, Effurun, has taken up the matter after a human rights activist (name withheld) petitioned the Battalion against Comrade Aghogho Ighorhiohwunu, who claimed that his father’s corpse allegedly disappeared from the Nigerian Navy Hospital mortuary.

A female military police officer, identified simply as Ruth John, in a telephone chat with our correspondent on Monday, February 24, said the Army invited Aghogho over the matter following a petition.

Part of the Army officer’s comments over the phone reads: “99% of Nigerian problems, the Nigerian Army normally carries, especially in Delta State. Half of the letters, petitions that they write, including community matters, I do receive them when they come.”

She further explained that the Nigerian Army got involved because the police failed to do their duties.

She also noted that the Army entered the 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 confirm as his voice or not. Only he can clarify whether it was him or not because I don’t know him.”

According to Ruth John: “The right office to call is the Military Police because we deal with both civil and military issues. When we see that it’s beyond our scope, we call the nearest police division for proper investigation.

“Our role is to follow up to ensure there is no corruption. Justice must be served where due, and punishment given where necessary.”

While noting that it’s a family issue, the Army officer said they can only appeal to both parties to reach an understanding and sheath their swords since they are from the same parents.

When asked why the Nigerian Army got involved in a matter that seemingly does not concern them, Ruth John said: “What touches the Navy touches us. What touches the Air Force touches us. You write a petition against the Nigerian Navy Hospital, claiming they have your father’s corpse but are denying you access to it—this is a serious matter.

“We, the military police, can go to the Nigerian Navy Hospital with the deceased’s name and meet the commander in charge of the mortuary to verify the claim.

“We can enter the mortuary and check if the corpse is there for further clarification. That is where the military stepped in because the Navy is being accused, but for now, it remains an allegation.”

Meanwhile, the Divisional Police Headquarters, Ovwian, in Udu LGA, has begun an investigation into the involvement of military personnel in the matter. The police see it as “conduct unbecoming” which may likely cause a breach of peace.