Residents of Jacob Beredugo Street in the Ekeki area of Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, were thrown into shock when the decomposed body of a 45-year-old pastor, Esere Okilo, was found in his home after being missing for over a year.
Okilo, originally from Nembe-Bassambiri, had not been seen for about 15 months until his remains were discovered on Wednesday.
The grim find was made by his sister, who decided to check on his residence. Peering through a window, she saw his lifeless body sitting on the toilet, dressed only in a singlet.
The revelation baffled residents, many of whom claimed they neither noticed his absence nor detected any odour associated with decomposition.
According to the Punch who visited the scene on Thursday, locals were seen discussing the incident in small groups.
The late pastor was described as a reserved individual and a committed clergyman.
Okilo had lived in one of two flats within the compound, while his elder brother and the brother’s wife occupied the other.
Reports indicate the two siblings were estranged, with the deceased often speaking negatively about his brother and sister-in-law.
A neighbour revealed that the toilet door had reportedly been locked from the inside, adding to the mystery surrounding his death.
Meanwhile, family members had previously expressed concern about Okilo’s prolonged absence, assuming he was away on a church mission.
Authorities from the Ekeki Police Division, who arrived to remove the body, arrested the elder brother on suspicion of concealing Okilo’s death.
Medical personnel at the Federal Medical Centre in Yenagoa suggested that formalin might have been used on the corpse to suppress any odour, though this claim could not be independently verified at the time of reporting.
Attempts to reach the Police Public Relations Officer, Musa Mohammed, for a statement were unsuccessful, as his calls went unanswered.
