The Nigerian Navy Reference Hospital (NNRH), Ojo, Lagos, has urged members of the public to come identify and claim the remains of several deceased persons currently in its custody.
It warned that a mass burial will be conducted if the bodies are not claimed within two weeks.
The Commander of the Nigerian Navy Reference Hospital, Ojo, Captain Aliyu Ope Oyeneyin, said the hospital had exhausted reasonable efforts to trace relatives of the deceased, but many of the bodies have remained unclaimed for a prolonged period.
He explained that the continued retention of the bodies has placed considerable strain on the hospital’s mortuary facilities, making the public notice unavoidable.
He also said that the hospital, in line with public health regulations and standard medical practice, cannot keep unclaimed bodies indefinitely.
“If after a period of two weeks from this notice no relative or representative comes forward to claim these remains, the hospital will be left with no option than to proceed with a mass burial,” Captain Oyeneyin stated.
He emphasised that the planned mass burial would be carried out with dignity and in accordance with established procedures, noting that the decision was not taken lightly but necessitated by health, safety and space considerations.
The Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Abubakar Mustapha, also underscored the Nigerian Navy’s commitment to professionalism, transparency and respect for human dignity, even in death.
He said the Navy had approved the public notification as part of efforts to ensure that families are given a final opportunity to claim their loved ones.
He added:“The Nigerian Navy places a high premium on human life and dignity. This public appeal is to ensure that no family is denied the opportunity to accord their loved ones a proper and personal burial,” he said. “We urge the public to take this notice seriously and cooperate with the hospital authorities.”
He noted that the Navy remains sensitive to the emotional weight surrounding unclaimed bodies, particularly those linked to periods of social unrest, and assured that due process would be followed throughout.
The Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, reiterated the Navy’s broader responsibility to society beyond its core security mandate. He described the appeal as a humanitarian step aimed at balancing public health obligations with compassion for affected families.
He implored community leaders, religious organisations, civil society groups and the media to help disseminate the information widely so that relatives of the deceased can be reached in time.
“The Nigerian Navy is part of the society it serves. In situations like this, our duty goes beyond operations at sea. We are appealing to all stakeholders to help spread the message so that families who may still be searching for missing relatives can come forward,” the CNS said.
He also assured that the Navy would continue to strengthen its record-keeping, inter-agency collaboration and community engagement to minimise cases of unidentified and unclaimed bodies in the future.
