A physically-challenged man whose identity is yet to be confirmed on Tuesday died in Owerri, the Imo State capital, while begging.
The beggar was known to beg for alms at Cherubim junction along the busy Wethedral Road, Owerri.
Sources said passers-by who saw the beggar lying down on the road erroneously thought he was sleeping and did not attend to him immediately.
However, after the prolonged sleep, passers-by noticed he was motionless with his eyes in an awkward position and tried to revive him to no avail.
They later notified the Health Ministry about the development and made arrangements for the corpse to be moved from the road.
It was gathered that shop owners around Cherubim junction had to contribute money for health officials to move his corpse so they could trade.
An Owerri-based comedian, Ogechi Duruji, popularly known as MC Duke via his Facebook account, wrote, “I learnt the beggar at Cherubim Junction died this morning. And the passersby thought he was sleeping till this evening.
“Health practitioners were called to carry him; they demanded ₦100,000 before removing his remains, or wait for four days. The people around paid the money before his corpse was taken away.
“I also learnt he has a huge amount of money with him too, and a bank account.
“His crutches are there now lying down. Nothing lasts forever. May his soul rest in peace.”
Passers-by who gathered during the evacuation of the corpse lamented that life was short and that the man had always been at the spot begging for alms for years.
Efforts to speak with the police spokesperson for Imo State Police Command, Henry Okoye, for confirmation proved abortive as he did not take the calls put through to his line.
NAN