Funeral director detained in Benue for alleged desecration of a dead body

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By Peter Duru, Makurdi

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There was outrage in Agwabi community, Buruku Local Government Area, LGA, of Benue state, following the arrest of a mortician, name withheld who was allegedly caught using a human leg from a corpse as a walking stick.

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The incident, which reportedly occurred in the early hours of Friday, drew widespread condemnation from residents after the suspect was seen carrying the limb openly in public.

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An eyewitness disclosed that the situation escalated when the mortician allegedly took the severed leg to a nearby shop while attempting to buy items, prompting alarm among locals.

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“We could not believe what we were seeing. People started shouting and gathered around him before the youths stepped in,” a resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said.

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Angered by the development, community youths apprehended the suspect and handed him over to security personnel for further action.

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When questioned by security operatives, Amaobi reportedly defended his actions, describing them as a deliberate attempt to draw attention to challenges he was facing.

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“I did it to make people notice what is happening. I have many bodies in the mortuary, and there is no support to handle them,” he was quoted as saying.

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The suspect further claimed that over 18 unclaimed bodies, believed to be those of suspected criminals killed by security operatives last year, had been deposited in his facility without arrangements for evacuation.

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The source disclosed that the suspect has been taken to the Police Station in Buruku for further investigation.

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A security official, who did not want his name in print, said, “We have commenced investigations into the matter. The circumstances surrounding the incident will be thoroughly examined.”

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The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet could not be reached for comment.

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