BY AGNES NWORIE, ABAKALIKI
There is anxiety at Imeabali village in Ezzama, Ezza South Local Government Area of Ebonyi State over the decomposing lifeless body of an unknown woman that was seen in the community recently.
According to the villagers, the body of the dead woman had been buried to avert outbreak of diseases as it was already oozing out offensive odour.
Confirming the case, the village Vice-Chairman, Ikechukwu Omere, told The Point that the identity of the deceased person could not be identified because the body had swollen and was decomposing when it was discovered last week.
Omere said that the residents of Imeabali community were thrown into fear and confusion with the youths fleeing to neighbouring settlements in order to evade police arrest.
The villagers alleged that a closer look revealed that the hands and feet of the deceased were tied with a rope.
“We woke up to see the (body of the) unknown dead lady dumped by the roadside in our village. We reported the matter to the police and the South East Traditional Rulers Council Chairman, Eze Charles Mkpuma, who is also our traditional ruler in the Ezzama community.
“By the time we got there with the police, the lady’s body had already swollen beyond recognition and was decaying.
“The incident brought fear and confusion into the community. We earlier went there with the police and took pictures of the dead woman whose hands and feet were tied by the killers.
“The police commenced an investigation. We don’t know the woman or anything that led to her death. The decaying corpse stinks so much that the place where her body was dumped was deserted.
“The village youths had fled for fear of possible arrest by police. Since the unknown corpse was already decaying, the police and the stakeholders in the community agreed to bury it at the scene where it was discovered pending police investigation,” Omere said.
Reacting, the Chairman, Ezza South Local Government Area, Ken Ezeh, said, “I have not been properly briefed. When something like that happens, the police would commence investigation. After that, the police would brief the appropriate authorities who would, in turn, brief journalists.”
The traditional ruler of the community, Ezeogo Charles Mkpuma, confirmed that the corpse had been buried by the community with the consent of the police.
“We buried the corpse at the scene. It was already decaying. People should be mindful of their movements these days. Parents should warn their children to stop staying up late at night. The people should mind the company that they keep.
“I suspect it was ritual killing but what I don’t know is why the corpse should be dumped in my community,” Mkpuma said.
When contacted, Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Loveth Odah, said that the information had yet to get to her office at press
time.
