Confusion as dead man grabs brother’s hands in Jos mortuary

There was panic at the mortuary of Plateau Specialist Hospital in Jos on Monday, when a dead man being prepared for burial suddenly grabbed his living brother’s hand.

The incident happened as the deceased, identified as Choji Zeng, was being dressed up for burial.

Family members, who had participated in the washing of the corpse,  ran out in panic.

The pandemonium attracted mortuary attendants, who came in to separate the two brothers.

The two brothers had lived together at Ungwan Juma’a Abattoir in Jos metropolis. Zeng, who was 35 years old, died after a brief illness, relations said. He was said to have suffered from a liver disease.

Gyang Zeng confirmed the unusual incident to NAN.

He said after bathing his brother, he was dressing him with white cloth when he grabbed his hands.

He said he had to call the mortuary attendant for help. The mortuary attendant forced off the dead man’s hand.

Relations and neighbours, who witnessed the incident, also confirmed it to the agency.

Gyang said when the deceased held his hands, he asked him; “Choji why did you hold my hand, you want me to join you or what?”

One of the mortuary attendants said that was not the first time that such a thing will happen there.

Benjamin Oche, a neighbour of the two brothers, who also witnessed the incident, told NAN that before the demise of the deceased, both brothers had a misunderstanding.

He said both of them had quarrelled over the land they inherited from their parents.

But no foul play was being suspected in Choji Zeng’s death.