EXCLUSIVE: COMMONWEALTH WAR MILITARY CEMETERY TURNS INTO JUNGLE
The Commonwealth War Military Cemetery located in Lafenwa-Ayetoro road in Abeokuta North Local Government Area of Ogun State has turned into thick forest, due to lack of upkeep and maintenances by the military authorities responsible for it.
Penpushing exclusively reports that, the cemetery which has the British and Nigeria sections has become an eyesore, following the overgrown weeds which has taken over the tombs of late gallant Nigerian soldiers who fought tirelessly for the country.
The investigations conducted showed that, the deceased fought during the Second World War, as well as during the civil war in Nigeria, and lost their lives in the course of serving the country, hence, a military cemetery provided by the authorities in memory of the late gallant soldiers.
Penpushing further reports that the cemetery is located on the outskirt of the town of Abeokuta which lies just under 100 kilometers north Lagos, and on the Lafenwa road about 1 kilometer West of Lafenwa Railway station, near military barracks.
The section of the cemetery being supervised by the British contains 162 commonwealth burials of the Second World War, four of which are unidentified and there are also 20 Belgians, while there are no records for the section being manage by the Nigerian Government.
Penpushing also reports that, checks at the cemetery showed the dedicated maintenance performances of the British, with the section well kept, and also indicate pillars of each of the deceased and their details inscribed.
The case was contrary at the section of those buried by the Nigerian Government, as the entire vicinity already taken over by bush, as well as various dangerous reptiles turning it into abode, while the place is no more accessible.
Penpushing reports that, some of the late soldiers buried by the British with identified tombs which were well kept include: L CPL Bekepempe of the Goal Coast Region with number CC/16179 who died April 15, 1914, Usman Bargaji of West African Artillery with number NA/37297 died April 30,1944, Audu Yungur,a Private of African Pioneer Corps with number NA/65345 who died February 9, 1944 and Yaro Namurde , a Corporal with number NA/296637 of Nigeria Regiment who died March 24,1942.
The list also include: Su Maisafa, a private with number NA/6559 of Nigeria Regiment who was killed July 24,1942, Lahai Koroma of West Africa Engineers with number SL/15123 who died April 9, 1943 and Samuel Odesanya of West African Army Medical Corps with number NA/79069 who lost his life on February 14,1942.
Penpushing further reports that, others are; Obatunji Osa ,a private of West African Army Service Corps with number NA/77998 who died March 24,1942, Esambe Eyende, a private of Nigeria Regiment with number LN/3480 died November 1, 1943 and Kwesi Konto of West African Engineers with number CC/15442 died May 26,1943.
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission responsible for the upkeep and maintenances of the British section of the cemetery has employees who see to the regular and daily maintenances of the cemetery, while the Nigeria section has no officials available
Penpushing reports that, in the course of investigation at the cemetery, Nigeria section of the cemetery, it was herculean task to identify three of the tombs out of over 100, which has the identities of Lt Col Nathaniel Olugbolahan Pearse who died in 2005, Col Babatunde Oluwole who died in 2013 and Lt Col Sakiru Abolade Eyiowuawi.
Meanwhile all efforts to get the military authorities response proved abortive, as officials contacted resolved to keep mute over the ugly and worrisome condition of the cemetery founded years ago
