Abia seals residence over human waste stored inside living room

The Abia State Environmental Protection Agency (ASEPA) has sealed a residential building at Aba, Abia State, after officials discovered more than 100 bags of human excreta stored within the premises.

The agency, which announced the development on Tuesday in a post on its Facebook page, identified the sealed building as House 16, Ibadan Street, Aba. It described the discovery as a serious public health concern.

According to ASEPA, four basins containing human excreta were also found in the building corridor.

Sewage pit found inside living room

The agency said a sewage tank was discovered inside one of the rooms downstairs, directly beneath a bed where occupants sleep.

A video posted alongside the statement showed officials lifting tiled floor slabs in what appeared to be a living room.

Beneath the slabs was a large pit, apparently for sewage collection. The room appeared furnished, with clothes hanging on the walls, suggesting it was being used as a living area.

ASEPA said the occupants were aware of the situation.

“This is not merely an environmental violation; it is a serious public health concern capable of triggering an epidemic if left unchecked,” the agency said.

The premises were sealed on 18 August pursuant to a court order, according to the agency.

ASEPA said the property would remain sealed until the necessary corrective measures had been completed.

Calls for a thorough investigation

The discovery prompted questions from residents and Facebook users about why human excreta were being collected and stored on the premises.

Some commenters urged the authorities to investigate beyond the environmental violation to establish the purpose of the waste.

READ ALSO: Abia tax reform targets efficiency, not increasing burden on citizens – Commissioner

“Proper investigation should be carried out to know what they are using it for, it’s not only sealing it,” Imo Alex wrote on the social media site.

Another commenter, Kingsley Obiora, suggested that the material could have been intended for agricultural use. “Na manure oh! Maybe they want to use it in their farms,” he stated.

Ifeoma Enwerem similarly wrote, “It might be for pig feed, farm manure or fish feed production.”

Another commenter, Giraffes Arts, said human waste could have legitimate reuse applications. “Where I reside, it is used as bio-gas; we cook with it. Also, human extract is reused to breed worms for fish farming and other essential purposes.”