The decomposed remains of a 45-year-old pastor, Esere Okilo, were discovered in his home in Ekeki, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, on Wednesday, January 22, more than a year after he was reported missing.
Okilo, a native of Nembe-Bassambiri, had not been seen for 15 months until his sister stumbled upon his skeletal remains.
The grim discovery was made when she visited his home due to accommodation challenges. Looking through a window, she saw her brother’s skeleton seated on a toilet, wearing only a singlet.
The revelation shocked residents of the area, who reported being unaware of any foul odour emanating from the apartment during the pastor’s long absence. Neighbours described Okilo as a devout and reclusive man who rarely engaged with the community.
Okilo’s residence comprised two flats, one occupied by him and the other by his elder brother and the latter’s wife.
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Reports indicate the brothers had been estranged. Notably, the toilet door where the body was found had been locked from the inside, raising suspicions about the circumstances surrounding his death.
The pastor’s family had previously expressed concerns about his disappearance. However, some relatives assumed he had embarked on one of his routine church pilgrimages.
The mystery deepened when police, called to the scene to recover the remains, arrested Okilo’s elder brother on suspicion of covering up the death.
A source from the Federal Medical Centre in Yenagoa revealed that there were signs that formalin, a chemical used to preserve corpses, had been applied to the body to mask odours.
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“Medical staff said there are indications that a substance like formalin was sprinkled on the corpse to stop the smell,” the source stated.
The discovery has sparked widespread speculation and concern in the community, with many questioning the events leading to the pastor’s death and the delay in uncovering his remains.
Investigations are ongoing as authorities work to unravel the mystery and bring clarity to the tragic incident.