Shock and confusion gripped residents of Jacob Beredugo Street, Ekeki, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, on Wednesday after the decomposing body of 45-year-old pastor, Esere Okilo, was discovered in his residence—15 months after he was declared missing.
The grim discovery was made by Okilo’s sister, who had grown concerned about his prolonged absence and decided to visit his residence. Looking through the window, she saw the pastor’s lifeless body, sitting on the toilet bowl dressed in only a singlet.
The discovery has left the neighborhood bewildered, with many residents claiming they neither noticed the absence of the pastor nor perceived any foul smell from his decomposing body.
Okilo, who hailed from Nembe-Bassambiri, was known as a reserved individual and a devout man of God. He lived alone in one of two flats in the compound, while his elder brother and the brother’s wife occupied the other flat.
“The two brothers were not on speaking terms, and the late pastor often referred to his brother and his wife in uncomplimentary terms,” a neighbor revealed.
The circumstances surrounding his death have raised suspicion, particularly as the toilet door was reportedly locked from the inside. Furthermore, a police source disclosed that medical staff at the Federal Medical Centre in Yenagoa alleged that formalin, a preservative, may have been sprinkled on the body to mask the smell of decay.
Residents also confirmed that a few months prior, Okilo’s immediate family had expressed concerns about his whereabouts and declared him missing. Some family members, however, believed he had gone on a prolonged church mission.
Police operatives from the Ekeki Division have since evacuated the remains and arrested the elder brother for questioning on suspicion of concealing the pastor’s death.
As of the time of reporting, efforts to reach the Police Public Relations Officer, Musa Mohammed, for further details were unsuccessful.
The mystery surrounding Pastor Okilo’s death has left the community demanding answers, with many calling for a thorough investigation to uncover the truth behind the bizarre incident.
