The Ekpemupolo family of Gbaramatu Kingdom in Warri South-West local government area of Delta state on Thursday, September 23, began the burial ceremony of their late father, Chief Thomas Osen Ekpemupolo.
The burial began with the gates of Veenell Hospital shut as movements of persons were restricted; only select members of the Ekpemupolo family and traditional Chiefs from Gbaramatu Kingdom were allowed access into the premises due to the suspicion that the death of Late High Chief Thomas Osen Ekpemupolo may trigger tension within the area.
The bearing of the corpse of late High Chief Thomas Osen Ekpemupolo caused serious vehicular traffic in the town as some Itsekiri traditional dance groups entertained guests with songs and dance along the busy Okumagba Avenue Road in Warri.
Oweizide Government Ekpemupolo, Alias Tompolo, was absent at the scene, but his younger brother George Ekpemupolo who is the Chairman of Warri South-West local government council was on ground.
Chief Alfred Bubor, the immediate past Regent of Gbaramatu Traditioanl Council, High Chief Wellington Bobo, Chief Jonathan Deregbanran and Elder Samson Teide and others were on ground.The corpse would be conveyed to Kurutie Community, the paternal home of the deceased for burial.
The burial ceremony will continue at Oporoza Community from Saturday, September 24 through Sunday, Sunday 25.
It would be recalled that there were claims that the 84-year-old who passed on Wednesday, September 7, died as a result of wounds he sustained during the military invasion of Kurutie and other Gbaramatu Communities by the military.
Until his death late Ekpemupolo was survived by 4 widows, 31 children, 45 grand children, 11 great grand children.
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