Oyo issues seven-day ultimatum on unclaimed corpses, plans mass burial

The Oyo State Government has issued a seven-day ultimatum for relatives and next of kin to claim unclaimed corpses from public hospital mortuaries. The state's Commissioner for Health, Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, announced that following this period, a mass burial will be conducted for any bodies that remain unclaimed.

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The government noted a significant increase in the number of unclaimed corpses currently deposited in mortuaries within public health facilities across the state.

Ajetunmobi stated that there has been a significant increase in unclaimed bodies deposited by agencies like the Nigeria Police Force, Federal Road Safety Corps, and Nigerian Correctional Service. This has led to severe congestion in mortuaries, many of which have reached their storage capacity. The notice urges the public, especially those with missing relatives, to visit relevant mortuaries for identification and claims.

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The corpses were brought to the facilities by the Nigeria Police Force, the Federal Road Safety Corps, the Nigerian Correctional Service, and other relevant agencies.

The government reiterated its commitment to maintaining acceptable public health standards and ensuring the effective management of healthcare facilities. The seven-day notice is intended to provide a final opportunity for identification before the mass burial exercise proceeds, aiming to alleviate mortuary congestion and ensure the continued efficient operation of health facilities.

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Over time, the bodies have remained unclaimed, resulting in severe congestion in the affected mortuaries, many of which have now reached their storage capacities.