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.
Recall that there were claims that his death was as a result of wounds he sustained during the military invasion of Kurutie and other Gbaramatu Communities by the military.
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.
As at the time of filing this report,High Chief Oweizide Government Ekpemupolo, Alias Tompolo was absent at the scene, but his younger brother, Hon. George Ekpemupolo who is the Chairman of Warri South-West Local Government Council was on ground. The immediate past Regent of Gbaramatu Traditioanl Council, Chief Alfred Bubor, 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.
Except for a few mobile policemen who were at the burial scene, no single military officer was seen at the scene of the ceremony and the Veenell Hospital Morgue.
The burial ceremony which begins today will continue after the remains of late High Chief Thomas Ekpemupolo has been interred in Kurutie with traditional dances at Oporoza Community from Saturday through Sunday.
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