Bodies abandoned in Imo morgues

Chris Njoku, Owerri

Morgues in Imo State are filled with bodies as people have refused to collect their relatives for fear of being arrested during funerals.

Investigations at some major mortuaries in Owerri showed that people were not coming to claim their relatives since the government banned gatherings.

Agbala Ascension Mortuary in Owerri North, which used to remove about seven bodies  weekly, now release one or two a week depending on special arrangement.

A mortuary attendant said: “We release one or two bodies in a week and this depends on special arrangement.”

It was gathered those who collect bury without ceremonies while some mortuaries do not receive fresh bodies.

At Aladema Mortuary, it was gathered the management was not attending to bodies following the outbreak of coronavirus. The mortuary, which used to be a beehive of activities, is like a ghost town.

A man, who gave his name as Chief Ndukwu, said he came to see how possible it would be to collect his brother’s body. The brother died three weeks ago.

He said: “Many people don’t even come to deposit bodies in the mortuary. They make quick arrangement to bury the deceased once certified. Another reason people are not depositing bodes in the mortuary is because of the lockdown, which has affected the economy. If you don’t have money to eat where would you get money to bury somebody?”