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A seventy-eight-year-old man’s corpse is said to have disappeared from the mortuary of the Nigerian Navy Hospital in Effurun, Delta State’s Uvwie Local Government Area.

According to the ZINGTIE, on November 21, 2024, the deceased’s children, Omokiniovo Ighorhiohwunu and Mr. Duke Ighorhiohwunu, placed their father’s body in the Navy hospital morgue.

On behalf of his family, Comrade Ighorhiohwunu Aghogho, a human rights activist and the deceased’s son, has petitioned the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Ekpan Division, CSP Aliyu Shaba, over the issue.

According to Comrade Aghogho’s plea, his siblings, Mr. Duke Ighorhiohwunu and Mr. Omokiniovo Ighorhiohwunu, duly signed for and placed their father’s body in the Navy hospital morgue in Effurun.

“We are shocked and distressed by the sudden disappearance of our father’s corpse and urge you to investigate this matter urgently.”

Comrade Aghogho asked the DPO to act right away in order to:

Investigate the circumstances surrounding their father’s corpse disappearance.

Determine who is accountable for the disappearance and take the required steps to guarantee that those who are responsible are held accountable.

help find their father’s body and make sure it is returned safely for a fitting funeral.

In addition, he urged the police to take all necessary steps to guarantee that justice is done in this case.

In a prompt response, the Nigerian Navy Hospital, Effurun, refuted the accusations made against it in a response letter filed before the High Court of Justice, Isiokolo Registry with reference A; HCI/FR/32/2024.

The Navy response letter, which was signed by Lt. Ogo on behalf of the Commander and referred to the Delta State High Court stated: “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.”

After a human rights activist (name withheld) petitioned the Nigerian Army, 3 Battalion, Effurun, against Comrade Aghogho Ighorhiohwunu, alleging that his father’s body vanished from the morgue of the Nigerian Navy Hospital, the Battalion took up the cause.

According to a female military police officer who spoke to our correspondent over the phone on Monday, February 24, and who went by the name Ruth John, the Army invited Aghogho to discuss the issue after receiving 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 went on to say that because the police were not performing their responsibilities, the Nigerian Army became involved.

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.”

The Army officer acknowledged that it’s a family matter, but stated that since they share parents, they can only hope that all sides would come to an agreement and put their swords away.

Ruth John responded as follows when asked why the Nigerian Army became involved in a situation that didn’t seem to affect them:  “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.”

An investigation into the role of military soldiers in the incident has been initiated by the Divisional Police Headquarters, Ovwian, located in Udu LGA. According to the police, it is “conduct unbecoming” and could lead to a breach of peace.

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