Tension in Benue as youths seize Lassa Fever victim’s corpse, force government Intervention

Tension in Benue as youths seize Lassa Fever victim’s corpse, force government Intervention

By Benedicta Aboh

There was panic and outrage in Benue State after a group of uninformed youths allegedly seized the corpse of a confirmed Lassa fever victim during a planned safe burial operation in Ogbadibo Local Government Area.

The Benue State Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Paul Ejeh Ogwuche, led a high-level delegation of health officials and security operatives to Ogbadibo and neighbouring Okpokwu LGAs to contain the incident and prevent potential public health risks.

The deceased, a 54-year-old woman from Ogbadibo, died at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi, where laboratory results confirmed she had contracted the virus. However, during initial efforts to conduct a safe burial in line with national and international protocols, agitated youths obstructed the Ministry’s Rapid Response Team and forcefully moved the body to a private mortuary in Ugbokolo, Okpokwu LGA.

Acting swiftly on Dr. Ogwuche’s directive, a combined team of health officials, security personnel, local government authorities, traditional leaders and youth representatives engaged in intense dialogue, after which the corpse was retrieved. The body was later buried safely in Orokam by the State Safe Burial Team, in compliance with WHO and Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) guidelines.

In the interest of public safety, the Health Commissioner ordered the immediate closure of the private hospital and mortuary where the corpse was kept, pending full decontamination, disinfection, and epidemiological investigation. All hospital staff and identified contacts have been placed under surveillance.

Addressing journalists, Dr. Ogwuche disclosed that contact tracing has commenced and health education campaigns have been launched across affected communities to curb misinformation, promote hygiene, and prevent panic.

“Public health safety is our top priority. The government cannot allow actions that endanger citizens. We appreciate the cooperation of community leaders, security agencies and local authorities in resolving this matter peacefully,” he said.

The Commissioner urged residents to refrain from handling the corpses of persons who die from suspected infectious diseases and to immediately report symptoms such as prolonged fever or unusual bleeding to the nearest health facility.

He assured that under the leadership of Governor Hyacinth Alia, the Ministry remains vigilant and committed to safeguarding lives against emerging health threats.