OWERRI, NIGERIA — Human rights watchdog Amnesty International has issued an urgent demand to Nigerian authorities to account for hundreds of unidentified bodies allegedly being transferred from mortuaries across Imo State under the cover of night.
According to a press statement released on August 22, 2026, the watchdog raised serious concerns regarding video footage documenting the systematic movement of human remains—many reduced to a skeletal state—from healthcare facilities including Ngor Okpala General Hospital and Mbieri General Hospital to unknown locations.
Isa Sanusi, Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, called on the Imo State Government and relevant security apparatuses to immediately halt the transfers, preserve all records, and initiate forensic investigations.
“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,” Sanusi stated. “All bodies, mortuary records, medical records and other relevant evidence must be preserved to prevent interference with any investigation.”
Security Operations Under Scrutiny
The rights group warned that some of the deceased may have been victims of extrajudicial executions and unlawful killings linked to security operations in the region.
The Southeast region, particularly Imo State, has experienced years of heavy security presence and clashes involving state security agencies, local security outfits, and non-state armed groups. Amnesty International noted that without forensic audits, proper autopsies, and transparent chain-of-custody protocols, evidence of potential human rights violations risks being permanently lost.
“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,” Sanusi added, emphasizing that families seeking missing relatives have a fundamental right to the truth.
Calls for Immediate Action
Amnesty International’s statement outlined critical mandates for government and security officials:
- Full Accounting: Disclose the total volume of bodies currently stored in or relocated from state mortuaries, including their original locations and final destinations.
- Forensic Identification: Subject all remains to independent forensic examinations and autopsies to determine exact causes of death and identify victims.
- Preservation of Records: Secure all hospital, mortuary, and medical logs to prevent tampering, concealment, or destruction of potential evidence.
- Prosecution: Conduct formal judicial inquiries and prosecute any security personnel or government actors found responsible for unlawful killings or illegal disposal of human remains.
As of press time, the Imo State Government and the Imo State Police Command have not issued formal responses to the allegations.
