Man’s decomposing body sparks health concerns in Ondo community

By Boye Oyeyemi

Residents of Ore in Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State have raised concerns over public health and environmental safety following the discovery of the decomposing body of a mentally ill man beneath the Ore overhead bridge.

The lifeless body of the yet-to-be-identified man, reportedly covered with a yellow cloth, was found by the roadside, drawing the attention of commuters, traders and other residents who regularly use the busy route.

Residents said the deceased, believed to have been mentally unstable, had remained at the location for days before he died, adding that the unattended corpse had started decomposing and emitting an offensive odour.

“The smell has become unbearable. People pass through this area every day, and leaving the body here for this long poses a serious health risk. We are appealing to the authorities to remove it immediately,” a resident, Idowu Festus, said.

Festus also called on environmental health officials, security agencies and the Odigbo Local Government to ensure the corpse is evacuated without further delay to prevent possible health complications.

“We also want the government to pay more attention to homeless and mentally challenged persons. If proper care had been provided, perhaps this unfortunate incident could have been avoided,” he added.

The prolonged presence of the decomposing body has continued to unsettle residents, who warned that the situation could expose the community to environmental pollution and possible disease outbreaks if urgent action is not taken.