Abia Agency Seals Aba Building After Discovering Over 100 Bags of Human Excreta

A residential building in Aba, Abia State, has been sealed after environmental officials reportedly discovered more than 100 bags containing human excreta stored on the premises.

The Abia State Environmental Protection Agency (ASEPA) said the building, located at House 16, Ibadan Street, Aba, was sealed on August 18 under a court order. The agency described the discovery as a serious public health concern.

Officials also reportedly found four basins containing human excreta in the corridor of the building. The discovery raised further concerns about the sanitary conditions inside the property and the possible health risks to occupants and neighbours.

ASEPA said a sewage pit was also found inside one of the downstairs rooms, directly beneath a bed. Video footage released by the agency showed officials removing tiled floor slabs from what appeared to be a furnished living room before uncovering the large pit underneath.

The room appeared to be in active use, with clothes visible on the walls and household items around the 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 building will remain sealed until the required corrective measures have been completed, according to ASEPA. The agency did not state what the stored human waste was intended for.

The discovery has also sparked calls from residents and social media users for a wider investigation into why such a large quantity of human excreta was being collected and stored at the property. Some commenters suggested possible agricultural or industrial uses, including manure, biogas and fish farming, but there was no official confirmation that the waste was intended for any of those purposes.