The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has opened an investigation after the discovery of a decomposed body inside a vehicle parked at the National Assembly complex in Abuja.
The body, identified as that of 55-year-old Gaddafi Iwar, a Tiv man believed to have worked as a labourer at a construction site within the complex, was found on Sunday, 7 September, inside a red Peugeot 406 with registration number BWR-577 BF.
The discovery was made at about 9:00 a.m., prompting an immediate response from security operatives. The remains were initially taken to the National Assembly Clinic for confirmation of death before being transferred to Asokoro General Hospital.
Hospital officials declined to receive the body due to its advanced state of decomposition. Community leaders from the Tiv ethnic group later conveyed the remains to Gbawu, a border town between Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) and Kuje Area Council, where they conducted a burial to avert a possible public health risk.
Confirming the incident, FCT Police spokesperson SP Josephine Adeh said the Command received a distress call and has commenced a discreet investigation to unravel the circumstances behind the death.
She noted that the FCT Commissioner of Police has directed officers to step up efforts to conclusively verify the deceased’s identity and gather further evidence.
Police authorities assured that more details would be released as the investigation advances.