Esere Okilo, a 45-year-old pastor from Nembe-Bassambiri, was reported missing for 15 months before his remains were discovered on Jacob Beredugo Street in Ekeki, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
Okilo was from Nembe-Bassambiri and had been missing for approximately 15 months when his remains were recovered on Wednesday.
One of his sisters made the find while visiting the residence owing to accommodation concerns.
She peeked through a window and saw the skeleton of the pastor sitting on the toilet, dressed only in a singlet.
The incident sparked confusion in the neighbourhood, since many locals stated they were unaware of any unpleasant scent emanating from the flat while Okilo was away.
On Thursday, neighbours met to discuss the revelation, characterising Okilo as a pious man of God who stayed to himself.
Okilo lived in one of the compound’s two flats, with his elder brother and his wife occupying the other.
Neighbours revealed that the toilet door where the remains were discovered was locked from the inside, adding to the mystery surrounding his death.
Although the pastor’s family had previously voiced concern over his whereabouts, several members suspected he had gone on one of his regular church pilgrimages.
Another neighbour revealed that the Ekeki Police Division officers who arrived to evacuate the bones detained the elder brother on suspicion of concealing the deceased’s death.
According to a police source, some medical staff at the Federal Medical Centre in Yenagoa claimed that formalin was sprinkled on the corpse to mask the bad odour emanating from the flat.
“Medical staff at the Federal Medical Centre said there are signs that a substance like formalin was sprinkled on the corpse to stop the smell,” a source said.
Attempts to contact the Bayelsa State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Musa Mohammed, for comment were futile since he did not return calls.
