The corpse of an 86-year-old man, Joel Omiran, has reportedly gone missing from the mortuary at the Sacred Heart Hospital, Lantoro, Abeokuta, in Ogun State.
Our correspondent reliably gathered that four suspects have already been arrested by the police in connection with the “mysterious disappearance” of the corpse.
The octogenarian died a month ago at the hospital where he was on admission.
A family source said the corpse was later deposited at the mortuary preparatory to the funeral.
According to the source, the children checked the corpse three weeks ago and found it intact.
The source added that the children of the deceased reportedly notified the hospital management of their plan to collect their father’s body for burial.
Trouble, however, started when the children got to the mortuary, having paid every required expense but not finding the body.
“They were shocked when they visited the hospital this week after they had called the hospital and informed it that they would be taking the body for burial.
“On getting to the hospital, they could not find the body. Every effort to get the body proved abortive,” the source said.
It was further gathered that four suspects—two mortuary attendants, an auditor, and a plumber – have been arrested by the police.
The police spokesman, Abimbola Oyeyemi, confirmed the incident.
“Yes, we are aware an 86-year-old man, Joel Omiran’s body was missing in the Sacred Heart hospital mortuary.
“We have commenced an investigation. The State CID, Eleweran has taken over the case.
“Four suspects have been held. Two mortuary attendants, one auditor and a plumber,” he said.