Sanwo-Olu gives families two-week ultimatum to pick corpses of loved ones

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has instructed families who have corpses of loved ones in the state's mortuaries to pick the bodies up for the funeral.

The families have two weeks to adhere to this instruction, the state governor said as he stressed the essence, which is to decongest the state's facilities.

"For about two months, there have been no funerals in Lagos due to the Lent period and restrictions of COVID19," he expressed.

Telling the families to observe the rules of social distancing whilst carrying out the funeral, he said total number of persons at the funeral must not exceed 20.

"The total number of persons at the funeral, including officiating religious leaders, must not exceed 20. Appropriate physical distancing must be maintained at the funeral ceremony, all attendees/mourners must use masks and ensure they wash their hands after the ceremony.

"There also must be NO receptions or parties to accompany these funerals," he added.

He, however, warned that failure to adhere to his laid down instruction within the stipulated period would force the Government to bury the corpses in mass graves.

As part of Lagos methods in decongesting state facilities, the Governor ordered the release of 209 inmates from correctional centres in Lagos to bring lasting reform to the administration of criminal justice in the country.

Today, I gave an order that families who have corpses of loved ones in our mortuaries have 2 weeks to pick the bodies for funeral so as to decongest our facilities.

For about two months, there have been no funerals in Lagos due to the Lent period and restrictions of #COVID19. pic.twitter.com/PrIPtaPlp0

— Babajide Sanwo-Olu (@jidesanwoolu) April 25, 2020