Officials of Lagos State Government on Saturday, led security agencies and other health personnel to clear about 50 corpses abandoned at Owode-Elede, Ikorodu, Lagos State.
The Baale of Owode-Elede, Ikorodu, Lagos, Chief Ramoni Oni, told our correspondent on Monday that the community invited officials of the state government to clear about 50 decomposing corpses abandoned in the area to avert epidemic.
The hearse carrying the corpses to Ijede for burial had broken down in the area on Thursday and it took the intervention of the community before the corpses were evacuated on Saturday.
Oni said it was the vigilance of his subjects that averted what could have degenerated into an epidemic.
According to him, his subjects, who were alarmed by the putrid odour emanating from the truck that broke down at a spot at Owode-Elede, along Mile 12-Ikorodu Road, alerted him to the development on Thursday.
He said the truck was conveying about 50 corpses from the Ikeja Mortuary enroute Ijede, Ikorodu when it broke down.
The monarch said he immediately informed the Ajegunle Police Station, adding that both the District Police Officer and District Crime Officer quickly had an on the-spot- assessment of the incident.
He said the combined team of security agencies, LASTMA and health personnel ensured the evacuation of the corpses from the area back to Ikeja Mortuary on Saturday afternoon.
He lamented that the residents were subjected to environmental pollution. However, he said there was no reported death or sickness so far.
The monarch said, �The corpses polluted the environment and caused discomfort to residents of the area but there has not been any report of death or sickness.�
Oct92007