Igbo Leader Calls for Urgent Burial of Corpses; See Reasons
Chief Rommy Ezeonwuka, the spiritual leader of Igbo land, has emphasized that to restore peace, security, and prosperity across Igbo land, it is crucial to begin the immediate burial of all corpses currently held in morgues.
In an interview in Onitsha, Ezeonwuka lamented the practice of storing corpses in mortuaries, asserting that it should be discouraged. He believes that burying the deceased promptly will help free their spirits, preventing them from wandering and allowing them to rest in peace.
He expressed concern that the spirits of the unburied dead contribute to unrest among the youth, leading to conflict and increasing insecurity, which can result in heinous crimes. Ezeonwuka, who is also a member of the Board of Trustees for the All Progressives Grand Alliance and the founder of Rojenny Games Village, stated, “A dead body has no place in the land of the living.”
He questioned the rationale behind keeping dead bodies, arguing that it only serves to pollute the environment and pose health risks. He recalled a time before 1983 when waste management practices contributed to environmental pollution, a situation that improved under the military administration of Muhammadu Buhari and Tunde Idiagbon.
Ezeonwuka criticized the contemporary practice of stockpiling corpses, likening it to the past pollution issues and calling for a change in mindset regarding burial customs. He pointed out that many spiritual consequences arise from delaying burials, asserting that unburied corpses lead to disembodied spirits possessing the living, particularly the youth.
He referenced the Igbo saying, “na mmadu na akpaghari ka ozu akwaghi akwa,” meaning people roam aimlessly when funerals are not performed. He urged church leaders, traditional authorities, and political figures to address this issue and consider shutting down morgues.
Ezeonwuka declared that if there is a genuine desire for lasting peace and development in Igbo land and beyond, the deceased must be buried promptly, even if funeral ceremonies can follow later. He cautioned that the practice of leaving corpses unburied angers God and disrupts spiritual harmony, leading to various societal issues, including youth restlessness, addiction, and crime.
