Edino Chubiyo Cornelius 
GOMBE, Nigeria – The Federal Teaching Hospital Gombe has appealed to the public for assistance in identifying the relatives of an unidentified road accident victim whose body has remained unclaimed weeks after his death.
In a statement issued by the hospital’s Public Affairs Unit, on Friday officials said the deceased was believed to be about 35 years old and was involved in a road traffic accident within the Government Reserved Area of Gombe.
According to the hospital, the victim was brought to the facility on May 15 by an official of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission after reportedly being struck by a hit-and-run driver.
Medical personnel said the man died on May 17 despite efforts to save his life.
Hospital authorities described the deceased as approximately 155.4 centimetres tall with distinctive horizontal tribal marks on both upper cheeks.
Officials believe the physical features could help relatives or acquaintances identify him.
Despite efforts to trace family members, no one has come forward to claim the body or provide information about his identity.
The hospital has therefore called on members of the public who recognise the description or possess useful information to contact relevant authorities at the facility.
Management said identifying the deceased would enable appropriate burial arrangements and provide closure for relatives who may be unaware of the tragedy.
The appeal highlights the persistent challenge faced by hospitals and mortuaries across Nigeria in identifying accident victims, particularly in cases where no identification documents are recovered.
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