An unidentified wheelbarrow pusher has been found dead in his wheelbarrow along Aba-Owerri Road in Abia State, prompting a police investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.
The decomposing body of a man, believed to be in his 50s, was discovered by passersby at Atuma House, opposite St. Paul’s Church at 104 Aba-Owerri Road, Umungasi. Eyewitnesses said the man appeared to have been napping in the wheelbarrow when he died.
Tochukwu Ogbuagu first drew public attention to the incident on Facebook on Thursday, sharing photographs of the deceased and a police letter authorising the evacuation of the corpse. While social media reports suggested the man may have died while resting after a day’s work, authorities have yet to confirm the exact cause of death.
In a letter to the Environmental Health Department of Osisioma Ngwa Local Government Council, the Divisional Police Officer of Abayi Police Division, Okereke Amos, requested the urgent removal of the body, describing it as a significant public health hazard.
Acting on the directive, environmental health officials, supported by officers from Abayi Police Division, evacuated the remains to the Abia State University Teaching Hospital at Ahiaba Umueze.
Abia State Police spokesperson, Maureen Chinaka, confirmed the incident on Friday and stated that investigations are ongoing to establish the identity of the deceased and the circumstances of his death.
The Environmental Health Services Department of Osisioma Ngwa Local Government Area has appealed to the public for information that could help identify the man.