Family Seeks Justice After Father’s Corpse Goes Missing from Effurun Mortuary

A family in Delta State is in shock following claims that the body of their 78-year-old father went missing from the mortuary of the Nigerian Navy Hospital in Effurun, located in the Uvwie Local Government Area. The family, led by human rights activist Ighorhiohwunu Aghogho, is demanding urgent investigation into the mysterious disappearance and has officially filed a petition with the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Ekpan Division, CSP Aliyu Shaba.

According to the petition, the deceased’s children, Omokiniovo Ighorhiohwunu and Duke Ighorhiohwunu, had deposited their father’s body at the hospital mortuary on November 21, 2024. However, when they later returned to retrieve the body, it was nowhere to be found. In a formal petition to the police, Aghogho expressed his family’s distress, urging the authorities to investigate the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of the body and identify the individuals responsible.

“We are shocked and distressed by the sudden disappearance of our father’s corpse,” Aghogho wrote. “We urge you to investigate this matter urgently and take necessary actions to bring those responsible to justice. We also seek your help in locating our father’s body and ensuring its safe return for proper burial.”

Aghogho’s plea to the police is for a thorough investigation to ensure justice is served and to uncover what happened to the body after it was entrusted to the hospital.

In response to the allegations, the management of the Nigerian Navy Hospital, Effurun, has vehemently denied any wrongdoing. In an official letter dated February 17, 2025, and filed with the Delta State High Court, the hospital’s management stated there is no record of the deceased being registered at their facility. The letter, signed by Lt. Ogo on behalf of the hospital’s commander, further assured the family that no body matching the description had been deposited at the hospital mortuary.

“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,” the letter reads. “Please accept the assurance of the esteemed regards of the commander.”

Meanwhile, tensions have risen as the Nigerian Army’s 3 Battalion in Effurun has also become involved in the matter. According to sources, a petition filed by an unnamed human rights activist has led to the Army investigating Aghogho Ighorhiohwunu himself. A female military police officer, identified as Ruth John, confirmed that Aghogho had been invited by the Army for questioning regarding the alleged disappearance.

The Divisional Police Headquarters in Ovwian, Udu Local Government Area, has reportedly launched its own investigation into the potential involvement of military personnel in the incident.