Amnesty International Seeks Explanation Over Alleged Mass Movement Of Corpses In Imo

Amnesty International has called on the Imo State Government and relevant authorities to urgently account for hundreds of unidentified bodies allegedly being moved from mortuaries in the state to undisclosed locations.

The human rights organisation, in a statement posted on its verified  Facebook page on Saturday, said it was “deeply concerned” by reports that bodies were being removed from mortuaries, including those at Ngor Okpala General Hospital and Mbieri General Hospital.

According to Amnesty International, videos it obtained show what it described as coordinated nighttime operations involving the movement of the bodies.

“Horrifying videos obtained by Amnesty International show coordinated stages of moving the dead bodies at night. Majority of the bodies are at skeletal level and in large numbers,” the organisation said.

The group urged the Imo State Government and other relevant authorities to immediately explain the circumstances surrounding the bodies, including how they ended up in the mortuaries and where they were being taken.

“Imo State Government and relevant authorities must immediately account for all the bodies, establish their identities and causes of death, and explain when, where and how they came to be in the mortuaries and where they are now being taken,” Amnesty International stated.

It also called for the preservation of all bodies and related records, including mortuary and medical records, to prevent any interference with potential investigations.

The rights group further raised concerns over allegations that some of the deceased could have been victims of unlawful killings during security operations in Imo State.

“Allegations that some of the deceased may have been victims of unlawful killings during security operations in Imo State must be promptly, independently and impartially investigated,” it said.

Amnesty International insisted that authorities must ensure proper identification of the bodies and conduct forensic examinations, including autopsies where necessary. It added that families of the deceased should be informed promptly and given information about their relatives.

The organisation warned against any attempt to conceal or destroy evidence.

“No body or evidence should be concealed, destroyed, disposed of or otherwise interfered with. Anyone suspected of criminal responsibility for unlawful killings or other human rights violations must be investigated and, where there is sufficient admissible evidence, prosecuted in fair proceedings,” it said.

Amnesty International stressed that families of those who have died or disappeared have a right to know the fate of their loved ones, urging authorities to act swiftly to establish the truth, preserve evidence and ensure justice and accountability.

As of the time of filing this report, the Imo State Government and security authorities had not issued an official response to the allegations.