In a powerful spiritual appeal, the revered spiritual leader of the Igbo people, Ogilisi Igbo, has called on Igbos and other Christian communities across Nigeria to immediately bury corpses languishing in mortuaries—some for years—warning that their continued preservation is a spiritual affront that invites violence, insecurity, and divine retribution.
In a phone interview with Time Africa, Ogilisi Igbo lamented what he described as a cultural shift toward “commercializing death” and holding onto corpses in mortuaries for extended periods under the pretext of preparing for elaborate “befitting burials.”
“Igbos are not cowards. We never feared death. Traditionally, we buried our dead without delay,” he said. “But now, mortuaries have become places of spiritual incarceration. This practice has provoked the angels. Their presence has left us—and demons now roam free.”
According to Ogilisi, the prevalence of violent crime, cultism, and spiritual confusion in Igbo communities can be linked to what he terms the restlessness of souls—deceased individuals whose bodies remain unburied, their spirits unable to return to the Creator.
“The soul returns to God once the body is committed to the earth. When we delay that process, we trap the soul,” he said. “This is not opinion—it is scriptural. Leviticus 21:1-4 and Numbers 19:11-23 warn against mingling with corpses.”
Ogilisi Igbo warned that “corpses are not meant to be housed in churches or tents,” declaring such places unclean and spiritually dangerous. He attributed the surge in cult-related violence, mental illness, and moral decay in the region to the presence of “wandering souls” of the unburied.
He cited cultural and religious leaders like Mike Ejeagha and Dr. Dozie Ikedife, who, before their deaths, gave explicit instructions to be buried immediately without being taken to mortuaries. According to Ogilisi, their wishes were honored—and their communities benefited from the spiritual clarity and peace such decisions fostered.
“Celebrating the dead with elaborate displays of corpses is an insult to the Creator. The dead cry out for release. A photo of the deceased is enough. What matters is not the ceremony but the soul’s journey.”
The spiritual leader also expressed concern that many corpses are left unclaimed for years—some for up to 10 or 15 years—with family members either unable or unwilling to complete burial rites.
“These corpses, abandoned in mortuaries, are a spiritual debt to both God and His angels. Worse, they often become a burden that leads to the death of their keepers.”
He urged Igbo families to follow the example of Muslim communities, who typically bury their dead within 24 hours, and called for stricter enforcement of laws like the Anambra State provision, which limits morgue time to two months.
Concluding his message, Ogilisi made a passionate plea:
“Let Igbos return to our roots. Let us bury our dead and allow the angels back into our land. Without them, we cannot be protected. The demons thrive where corpses linger, and our youth suffer for it. We must act—before it’s too late.”
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