The decomposed remains of 45-year-old Pastor Esere Okilo were found in his apartment on Jacob Beredugo Street, Ekeki, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, over 15 months after he was reported missing.
The startling discovery was made on Wednesday by Okilo’s sister, who visited the residence due to housing concerns. Upon peering through a window, she saw the pastor’s skeleton sitting on the toilet, dressed only in a singlet.
The revelation has left neighbors stunned, as many claimed they had not noticed any unusual odor coming from the apartment during the entire period of Okilo’s disappearance. On Thursday, groups of residents gathered to discuss the incident, describing Okilo as a devout man of God who was known to keep to himself.
Okilo had lived in one of two flats in the compound, while his elder brother and his wife occupied the other. Neighbors revealed that the two brothers were not on speaking terms, adding to the growing mystery surrounding the circumstances of his death.
The discovery of Okilo’s remains inside a locked toilet has raised further questions about his death. The door was reportedly locked from the inside, which suggests there was no external interference. This detail has left many wondering whether there was foul play involved.
While Okilo’s family had raised concerns about his disappearance, some locals believed he may have gone on one of his regular church pilgrimages, dismissing the possibility of anything sinister happening.
Authorities from the Ekeki Police Division, who retrieved the remains, arrested Okilo’s elder brother on suspicion of attempting to conceal the pastor’s death. A police source revealed that medical workers at the Federal Medical Centre in Yenagoa had expressed concerns about the state of the body. They suggested that formalin, a chemical typically used to preserve bodies and suppress odors, might have been applied to the corpse to prevent the smell of decomposition.
“Medical staff at the Federal Medical Centre said there are signs that a substance like formalin was sprinkled on the corpse to stop the smell,” the source told Punch.
The discovery has left the local community grappling with disbelief, as they reflect on the life of Pastor Okilo, a man they described as dedicated to his faith but reclusive in nature. As the investigation continues, questions about the true cause of Okilo’s death, the role of his family, and the mysterious circumstances surrounding his disappearance remain unanswered.
