ABA, ABIA STATE — Police and local government health authorities in Abia State have launched a public appeal for information following the discovery of an unidentified man found dead at Atuma House, opposite St. Paul’s Anglican Church (No. 104 Aba-Owerri Road, Umungasi, Aba).

The deceased, believed to be a local barrow pusher estimated to be in his fifties, was discovered slumped over his wheelbarrow in what residents initially assumed was a deep sleep following a routine day of manual labor.

Alarm was raised by neighbors and local traders after noticing the man had remained motionless in the exact same position overnight, prompting a formal report to law enforcement.

Official Police Authorization & Evacuation

According to an official police memorandum titled “Authority to Evacuate an Unidentified Corpse” from the Abayi Divisional Police Headquarters—signed by Divisional Police Officer CSP Onwere Ogbonnaya Amos and dated July 23, 2026—officers confirmed receiving information regarding the decomposing body.

  Location:              No. 104 Aba-Owerri Road, Umungasi, Aba, Abia State
  Police Authority:      Abayi Divisional Police Headquarters (Ref: AB:3285/ABS/AB/VOL.1/68)
  Estimated Age:         Fifties (Male)
  Health Hazard:         Advanced Decomposition
  Current Location:      ABSUTH Mortuary, Ahiaba, Umueze

Citing serious public health hazards to residents and traders in the high-density Umungasi area along Aba-Owerri Road, the DPO formally requested the immediate intervention of the Environmental and Health Department of Osisioma Ngwa Local Government Area.

Body Deposited at ABSUTH as Public Appeal Begins

Environmental health officials subsequently evacuated the remains and deposited them at the Abia State University Teaching Hospital (ABSUTH) mortuary in Ahiaba, Umueze, for preservation, medical examination, and pending identification.

While the exact cause of death has not been officially confirmed by police medical examiners, preliminary observations suggest the deceased may have succumbed to sudden natural causes or physical exhaustion while resting. Authorities confirmed that investigations are ongoing to rule out foul play.

Call for Public Assistance

The Environmental Health Services Authority of Osisioma Ngwa LGA and the Nigeria Police Force are appealing to members of the public—particularly those residing around Aba-Owerri Road, Umungasi, and local market unions—who may have missing relatives fitting the description to come forward.

Anyone with useful information regarding the identity of the deceased or his family members is advised to contact the Head of Department, Environmental Health Services, Osisioma Ngwa LGA, or report directly to the Abayi Divisional Police Headquarters in Aba.