From Sola Ojo, Kaduna
The leadership of Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State said it is set for mass burial of 49 unclaimed bodies deposited at different times at General Hospital Sabo, Kaduna, by the men of the Nigerian Police.
This was contained in a letter addressed to the Kaduna State Ministry for Local Government Affairs, dated April 11, 2023, and signed by the Council’s Executive Chairman, Salasi Nuhu Musa.
The letter clarified that 25 of the unclaimed bodies were tagged with one or two names, while the remaining 24 have no identification tags at all.
The letter read in part: “This is to notify the public that Chikun Local Government Council, has got the approval of the Kaduna State Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Local Government Affairs to carry out the burial of 49 unknown and unclaimed bodies deposited at different times at the General Hospital Sabon Tasha, Chikun Local Government Area by men of the Nigeria Police from Toll Gate Division and Kasuwa Magani Police Stations.
“The Kaduna State Ministry of Health and Kaduna State Ministry of Local Government Affairs had, in their letters referenced MOH/ADM/110/VOL.III, dated August 30, 2022 and S/MLG/373/TA/28, dated October 4, 2022, respectively, directed that a committee be set up to investigate and verify the circumstances surrounding the deposited bodies.
“Following the directive, a nine-man committee was constituted to that effect on October 20, 2022, under the watch of security agencies.
The committee carried out a careful investigation and its findings revealed that:- “Forty-nine unclaimed bodies were deposited at the mortuary of Sabon Tasha General Hospital against the 42 earlier communicated. The bodies need urgent befitting interment for public interest.”
The letter further clarified the 25 unclaimed bodies with an identification tag to include: “Donatus Ebomuche, Emmanuel Charles, Dangote, Hadiza Audu, Police, Police, Insp. Rutu Musa, Joel Simon, Idrisa Yakubu, Baba Yellow, and Maria Ejeh.
Others are Abubakar Ibrahim, Chukwuka Aguezeh, Luka Samuel, Abdul Abubakar, Halikali Dalami, Benjamin Zaka, Bowaje Zaka, Mr. Titus, Mr. Gaius Nenji, Jimmy Begge, Aminu Begge, Rabilu Yahaya, Buba Ali and Arinze Odo.
The council has set up a seven-man technical committee for the final burial expected to be held within the period under reference.
A window of five days has been given for claimants to come forward, if any, before the bodies are committed to mother earth at a place provided by His Royal Highness Esu Chikun.