The remains of a 46-year-old man identified as Sikiru Yusuf has been found seven months after he was declared missing at his residence 21, Jaiyesinmi Street, Aga, Ikorodu, Lagos.
The remains was discovered by the elder brother to the deceased, Alhaji Basiru Yusuf, after an attempt to pack the belongings of his alleged missing brother upon request by his landlady.
It was gathered that the nature of the work of the deceased who was thought missing was such that took him out of town for two to three months before returning home but suspicions about his whereabouts started when he didn’t return home after the first three months.
It was also gathered that during the period which he was believed to be missing, a stench emanating from his apartment was passed off as that of a dead rat’s.
His missing status was however reported to his family living at Ikosi, Ketu area of Lagos State about five months after his departure.
Seeing as he hadn’t returned seven months after, his landlady instructed his brother to come pack out his belongings from her property, and this led to the discovery at about 12:30pm on Monday.
Upon forcing his apartment door open, family members and co-tenants saw the skeleton believed to be that of Sikiru Yusuf on the floor work a rope beside it.
Speaking on the matter the landlady’s daughter, Funmi Badewa, said; “At first, we thought he must have gone for his job, which usually kept him away for two or three months. But we became worried and contacted his family when we did not see him after some months.
“We went to his family at Ikosi in Ketu and asked after him. But they too said they have not seen him and that he probably travelled. When it was seven months, his brother now came and said they would pack his things since no one has seen him.
“They broke the door and that was when his skeleton was found on the ground. We also saw a rope, which means he might have committed suicide.
“There was a time we perceived bad odour, but we thought that a rat might have died somewhere. The smell lasted several days. No one even thought it could be a dead human being,”
The deceased who was suspected to have committed suicide was evacuated by the Ikorodu Police Division after his brother hurriedly rushed to report the issue.
The Lagos State Police Spokesperson, Mrs. Dolapo Badmos confirming the incident said; “The complainant said he was invited by his brother’s landlady to evacuate his belongings because he absconded and locked his room and parlour apartment up for seven months.
“However, when the door was forced open, it was discovered that the said Sikiru Yusuf had died long ago as his skeleton was found on the floor.
“On receipt of complaint, a team of detectives visited, examined and photographed the scene, while the remains was removed and deposited at public morgue for autopsy. Investigation is ongoing to unravel what actually transpired,”