The Southeast Human Rights Bureau, SEHRB, has expressed deep concern over reports of the discovery and movement of hundreds of unidentified bodies from mortuaries in Imo State, including reports concerning Ngor Okpala General Hospital and Mbieri General Hospital.
SEHRB said reports and disturbing video footage reportedly showing the movement of large numbers of bodies, some apparently reduced to skeletal remains, raise serious questions that the Imo State Government, the police and the relevant hospital authorities must urgently and transparently address.
The human rights body has challenged to the authorities to respond to concerns being raised by other organizations, including Amnesty International.
In a statement on Saturday, the SEHRB raised questions that the government of Imo State, the police and management of the hospitals must answer.
Part of the statement read:
“How did such a large number of unidentified bodies come to be in these mortuaries?
“When, where and under what circumstances did the individuals die?
“Were the deceased brought to the facilities after death, or were they admitted as patients before they died?
“What records exist concerning their admission, detention, treatment, death and transfer?
“Who authorised the removal of the bodies, where were they taken, and for what purpose?
“What steps were taken, or are being taken, to identify the deceased and notify their families?
“Have post-mortem examinations or other forensic procedures been conducted to establish the causes and circumstances of death?”
SEHRB said the questions it raised were particularly important given longstanding allegations of unlawful killings, enforced disappearances and other human rights violations arising from security operations in parts of Imo State.
“Such allegations must neither be dismissed without investigation nor treated as established facts without credible evidence.
“SEHRB is therefore calling for an independent, transparent and impartial investigation into the origin, identity and circumstances surrounding all the bodies reportedly found in or removed from the affected mortuaries.
“All mortuary registers, admission and discharge records, medical records, police records, death certificates, photographs, CCTV footage and other relevant documentary or digital evidence must be immediately preserved. The bodies must not be secretly disposed of, cremated, buried or otherwise interfered with before appropriate identification and forensic examination.
“Where necessary, independent forensic experts should conduct autopsies and other examinations capable of establishing the identity and cause of death. Families whose relatives may be among the deceased must be promptly informed and given access to credible information.
“SEHRB is also concerned that the unexplained movement of the bodies could compromise evidence and frustrate future investigations.
“The authorities therefore have a responsibility to ensure that no evidence is destroyed, concealed, altered or removed beyond the reach of legitimate investigation.
“The fundamental issue is simple: every deceased person has a right to dignity, and every family has a right to know what happened to a missing or deceased relative.
“If the bodies are unrelated to any unlawful conduct, the authorities should have no difficulty providing a transparent account of their origin and movement.
“If, however, the investigations establish that any of the deceased were victims of unlawful killings or other human rights violations, those responsible—regardless of their status or affiliation—must be held accountable in accordance with the law.
“SEHRB calls on the Imo State Government, the Nigeria Police Force, the relevant hospital authorities and other security agencies to urgently provide the public with a credible account of the bodies and to cooperate fully with an independent investigation.
“The public deserves the truth. The families deserve answers. And the dead deserve dignity and justice,”the human rights body said.
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