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Tragic: Missing Pastor’s skeleton found in own home after 15 months
… brother arrested
The mystery surrounding the disappearance of Pastor Esere Okilo has taken a grim turn as his skeleton was discovered in his residence, 15 months after he was reported missing.
The shocking discovery has plunged residents of Jacob Beredugo Street, off Osiri Road, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, into disbelief.
Pastor Okilo, a 45-year-old cleric, hailed from Nembe-Bassambiri in Bayelsa and was known for his reserved nature and commitment to his religious calling.
According to sources, the skeletal remains were discovered by a female relative of the deceased.
She had been experiencing accommodation challenges and decided to visit her brother’s residence.
Upon peering through the window, she was horrified to see his skeleton sitting on the toilet seat, dressed only in a singlet.
The incident, which unfolded on Wednesday night, sparked confusion and widespread speculation among neighbours.
Strangely, many claimed they had not noticed any foul odour or signs of decomposition during the long period he was missing.
Residents gathered in groups, exchanging theories about the cleric’s tragic end.
Pastor Okilo had reportedly lived alone in one of the two flats in a compound he shared with his elder brother and the latter’s wife.
“The two brothers were not on speaking terms,” one resident revealed. “Pastor Esere often referred to his elder brother and his wife as a bewitched duo.”
It was further learnt that several months ago, Pastor Okilo’s immediate family held a meeting to address his unexplained absence and eventually declared him missing.
However, some family members dismissed concerns, believing he had embarked on one of his regular church pilgrimages.
The discovery has raised suspicions of foul play. Operatives from the Ekeki Division of the Bayelsa Police Command, who arrived to evacuate the skeleton, reportedly arrested the elder brother on allegations of concealing the cleric’s death.
Adding to the mystery, morticians at the Federal Medical Centre in Yenagoa noted signs of formalin being sprinkled on the remains, possibly to suppress the odour of decomposition.
An eyewitness claimed that the toilet door was locked from the inside, a detail that has further deepened the intrigue surrounding the cleric’s death.
As investigations continue, residents remain haunted by the chilling discovery and are calling for a thorough probe to unravel the circumstances leading to Pastor Okilo’s untimely demise.
