Retired
soldier, Kayode Sotunde, 49, had plans for better living when he undertook a
journey from Gboko to Kano on April 11, this year, but he did not make it to
Kano alive. The commercial bus conveying the ex-soldier crashed on the
way, claiming him and 17 others.
soldier, Kayode Sotunde, 49, had plans for better living when he undertook a
journey from Gboko to Kano on April 11, this year, but he did not make it to
Kano alive. The commercial bus conveying the ex-soldier crashed on the
way, claiming him and 17 others.
But
the saying, ‘old soldier never dies’ appears to have played out with Sotunde as
he woke up three days after in the mortuary, where his body and others were
deposited for their families to claim for burial.
the saying, ‘old soldier never dies’ appears to have played out with Sotunde as
he woke up three days after in the mortuary, where his body and others were
deposited for their families to claim for burial.
According
to Sotunde, his corpse was taken out of the mortuary and was being
prepared for burial when he suddenly woke up.
to Sotunde, his corpse was taken out of the mortuary and was being
prepared for burial when he suddenly woke up.
Sotunde narrated his experience to Sunday Sun in Abeokuta, Ogun State: ‘’I am a
living witness to the fact that God exists. You may not believe me, just like I
may not have believed it if it did not happen to me. I died in an
accident along with 17 others, but resurrected three days after in the
mortuary.”
living witness to the fact that God exists. You may not believe me, just like I
may not have believed it if it did not happen to me. I died in an
accident along with 17 others, but resurrected three days after in the
mortuary.”
Excerpts
of the interview:
of the interview:
Journey from Gboko to
mortuary
mortuary
On
that fateful day, that was April 11, 2013, I was travelling from Gboko to Kano
to see my younger brother, Jide Sotunde, a soldier serving in Kano. We
had agreed on the journey which we had thought would afford us to discuss
important issues, including the possibilities of getting another job that would
not be too far from where I had my wife.
that fateful day, that was April 11, 2013, I was travelling from Gboko to Kano
to see my younger brother, Jide Sotunde, a soldier serving in Kano. We
had agreed on the journey which we had thought would afford us to discuss
important issues, including the possibilities of getting another job that would
not be too far from where I had my wife.
I
retired from the Nigerian Army, (Supply and Transport), Apapa Lagos where I
served for 30 years, during which I also participated in many peace keeping
force assignments outside Nigeria.
retired from the Nigerian Army, (Supply and Transport), Apapa Lagos where I
served for 30 years, during which I also participated in many peace keeping
force assignments outside Nigeria.
After
retirement, I got a job as a security guard at the Dangote Cement, Gboko, Benue
State from where I also resigned because of the distance of my workplace and
where my family was based in Osogbo.
retirement, I got a job as a security guard at the Dangote Cement, Gboko, Benue
State from where I also resigned because of the distance of my workplace and
where my family was based in Osogbo.
The
ill-fated vehicle was an 18-seater passenger bus, which I boarded in Gboko
en-route Kano. We were barely two hours into the journey when a passenger asked
us to pray. Since it was a normal thing for a passenger to offer to pray on
such a long journey, I did not heed his call. I was just playing with my
mobile phone set.
ill-fated vehicle was an 18-seater passenger bus, which I boarded in Gboko
en-route Kano. We were barely two hours into the journey when a passenger asked
us to pray. Since it was a normal thing for a passenger to offer to pray on
such a long journey, I did not heed his call. I was just playing with my
mobile phone set.
Aside
from that, I didn’t believe in the prayer since I didn’t know anything about
Jesus Christ. I was a freethinker who neither went to church nor worshipped any
idol. We were making progress on the journey when suddenly there was a bang.
That was all I could recollect about the journey until I woke up three days
after in the mortuary of the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Kano
where I was told that I died in an accident and my corpse along with other 17
passengers were deposited there.
from that, I didn’t believe in the prayer since I didn’t know anything about
Jesus Christ. I was a freethinker who neither went to church nor worshipped any
idol. We were making progress on the journey when suddenly there was a bang.
That was all I could recollect about the journey until I woke up three days
after in the mortuary of the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Kano
where I was told that I died in an accident and my corpse along with other 17
passengers were deposited there.
Even
though the hospital authorities told me that I was in their morgue for three
days as a dead man, I actually spent more days there before I could regain my
senses.
though the hospital authorities told me that I was in their morgue for three
days as a dead man, I actually spent more days there before I could regain my
senses.
I was to be buried in Kano
I was
told that before I returned from the land of the dead, my family had instructed
my younger brother who I was visiting in Kano before the accident to bury me in
Kano since they could not afford the N150,000, which was said to have been
requested by transporters to take my corpse from Kano to Abeokuta. My
elder sister, Moradeke Sotunde played a prominent role in this regard.
told that before I returned from the land of the dead, my family had instructed
my younger brother who I was visiting in Kano before the accident to bury me in
Kano since they could not afford the N150,000, which was said to have been
requested by transporters to take my corpse from Kano to Abeokuta. My
elder sister, Moradeke Sotunde played a prominent role in this regard.
I was
also told that it was at the point that my corpse was being prepared for
interment that suddenly I returned to the land of the living after my corpse
was taken out of the mortuary for prayers by Islamic clerics who were said to
have sprinkled water on my corpse preparatory to my burial. I was also told
that my hair was also shaved as demanded by the clerics.
also told that it was at the point that my corpse was being prepared for
interment that suddenly I returned to the land of the living after my corpse
was taken out of the mortuary for prayers by Islamic clerics who were said to
have sprinkled water on my corpse preparatory to my burial. I was also told
that my hair was also shaved as demanded by the clerics.
I was
told that my corpse was taken out of the mortuary after they had dug my grave
and organised some clerics to offer the funeral prayers.
told that my corpse was taken out of the mortuary after they had dug my grave
and organised some clerics to offer the funeral prayers.
They
wanted to bury me in Kano because my family members couldn’t afford
N150,000 demanded for carrying my corpse to Abeokuta for burial. The
initial plan was to move my corpse back home to Abeokuta, where a grave had
been dug but for the transportation cost.
wanted to bury me in Kano because my family members couldn’t afford
N150,000 demanded for carrying my corpse to Abeokuta for burial. The
initial plan was to move my corpse back home to Abeokuta, where a grave had
been dug but for the transportation cost.
Life in the land of the dead
My
brother, truly, there is life after death. I can also tell you that there is a
living God. You may not believe me, but I am a living witness to this. I may
not be able to describe Heaven or Hell, but there is another life after this
one that we are living.
brother, truly, there is life after death. I can also tell you that there is a
living God. You may not believe me, but I am a living witness to this. I may
not be able to describe Heaven or Hell, but there is another life after this
one that we are living.
This
place I am talking about is full of snow. I may not have been to America, but I
have heard about snow. Where we were was full of snow, with plenty of something
that I can describe as alum stones; whitish in colour with something I can
describe as granite in this physical world. In spite of the terrible
cold, there was no day that we felt cold and it was never harmful to us.
place I am talking about is full of snow. I may not have been to America, but I
have heard about snow. Where we were was full of snow, with plenty of something
that I can describe as alum stones; whitish in colour with something I can
describe as granite in this physical world. In spite of the terrible
cold, there was no day that we felt cold and it was never harmful to us.
All of
us were there without knowing whether we are male or female. We couldn’t see
our eyes, mouth and nose. We had no leg; we had no arm, but we floated in the
air without our bodies touching the ground. We were flying around what I will
describe as another planet.
us were there without knowing whether we are male or female. We couldn’t see
our eyes, mouth and nose. We had no leg; we had no arm, but we floated in the
air without our bodies touching the ground. We were flying around what I will
describe as another planet.
On the
third day of my arrival on the strange planet, they gave me a message that we
were expecting one big prophet.
third day of my arrival on the strange planet, they gave me a message that we
were expecting one big prophet.
After
the message was delivered, they nominated ushers among us to
welcome the prophet. And seconds later, people started trooping in,
jubilating as if a goal was just scored in a football match.
the message was delivered, they nominated ushers among us to
welcome the prophet. And seconds later, people started trooping in,
jubilating as if a goal was just scored in a football match.
On
that planet, there were many stars which were not stable in one place, like we
have in the sky in this world. I noticed that on a daily basis, people kept on
increasing, even though we don’t know from where they came.
that planet, there were many stars which were not stable in one place, like we
have in the sky in this world. I noticed that on a daily basis, people kept on
increasing, even though we don’t know from where they came.
I was
in this mood until they (I don’t know them) told me that I should go back home
to work for the Lord. According to them, there were many people in the world
who are not only in bondage, but are also afflicted with human pains. They also
instructed that I should work for the Lord and heel people. I was even arguing,
putting up some resistance that I could not do it. This was the condition I
found myself until I opened my eyes and saw Jide, my younger brother in
this part of the world again.
in this mood until they (I don’t know them) told me that I should go back home
to work for the Lord. According to them, there were many people in the world
who are not only in bondage, but are also afflicted with human pains. They also
instructed that I should work for the Lord and heel people. I was even arguing,
putting up some resistance that I could not do it. This was the condition I
found myself until I opened my eyes and saw Jide, my younger brother in
this part of the world again.
In God’s vineyard
Since
the Lord has directed me to work for Him, I will surely do so because ‘to be
forewarned, is to be forearmed.’ It was because of this that I went to do my
thanksgiving service at the Mountain of Fire and Miracle, in Lagos with the
General Overseer, Pastor Olukoya.
the Lord has directed me to work for Him, I will surely do so because ‘to be
forewarned, is to be forearmed.’ It was because of this that I went to do my
thanksgiving service at the Mountain of Fire and Miracle, in Lagos with the
General Overseer, Pastor Olukoya.
The
Lord has started performing miracles in other people’s lives through me. I
don’t want to sound boastful, but God has started using me. I do pray for
people now and they usually return to tell me that their problems have been
solved. It is the Lord’s doing.
Lord has started performing miracles in other people’s lives through me. I
don’t want to sound boastful, but God has started using me. I do pray for
people now and they usually return to tell me that their problems have been
solved. It is the Lord’s doing.
I have
already prayed for a woman who has married been for 14 years without a child
that God will give her the fruit of the womb. The person who lives in Ikorodu
spoke to me through the telephone and I believe Lord will answer her prayers
and request. I have accepted to work in God’s vineyard till I return to Him.
already prayed for a woman who has married been for 14 years without a child
that God will give her the fruit of the womb. The person who lives in Ikorodu
spoke to me through the telephone and I believe Lord will answer her prayers
and request. I have accepted to work in God’s vineyard till I return to Him.
Day I returned to Abeokuta
I
caused a stir in this area when I returned alive to Abeokuta because people
including my family members, except my brother who was with me when I rose from
the dead, did not know I had risen from the dead.
caused a stir in this area when I returned alive to Abeokuta because people
including my family members, except my brother who was with me when I rose from
the dead, did not know I had risen from the dead.
On
arrival in Abeokuta, we played pranks on my people as they did not know that I
was returning to home alive that day.
arrival in Abeokuta, we played pranks on my people as they did not know that I
was returning to home alive that day.
When
we got nearer home, the person that accompanied me decided to call Kemi, my
mother’s last born that we were already in Abeokuta. When my sister saw
me, she fainted and was later revived. She was shivering when she woke
up.
we got nearer home, the person that accompanied me decided to call Kemi, my
mother’s last born that we were already in Abeokuta. When my sister saw
me, she fainted and was later revived. She was shivering when she woke
up.
We
later told her to return home to tell others that I had risen from the dead. On
my way, I saw people mourning me, wearing black attire.
later told her to return home to tell others that I had risen from the dead. On
my way, I saw people mourning me, wearing black attire.
I
trekked a distance of about 800 metres to my father’s house. There, a
grave had also been dug beside my late father’s before the family decided to
bury my corpse in Kano. I waved as people were expressing shock and disbelief
at seeing me alive. When I attempted to move closer to a woman in her shop, she
ran away, thinking I was a ghost and pleading that she had no hands in my
death. My sister, Moradeke who lives in Lagos was also wearing a black attire,
mourning along with others until I returned home.
trekked a distance of about 800 metres to my father’s house. There, a
grave had also been dug beside my late father’s before the family decided to
bury my corpse in Kano. I waved as people were expressing shock and disbelief
at seeing me alive. When I attempted to move closer to a woman in her shop, she
ran away, thinking I was a ghost and pleading that she had no hands in my
death. My sister, Moradeke who lives in Lagos was also wearing a black attire,
mourning along with others until I returned home.
I
returned to Abeokuta on the very day I was to be buried. I even met many of the
mourners, wearing black (including my sisters) who had gathered in my father’s
house here, (Sabo Abeokuta).
returned to Abeokuta on the very day I was to be buried. I even met many of the
mourners, wearing black (including my sisters) who had gathered in my father’s
house here, (Sabo Abeokuta).
There
was also a particular woman who threw away the beans meal she was eating and
ran away from her shop when she sighted me.
was also a particular woman who threw away the beans meal she was eating and
ran away from her shop when she sighted me.
I kept
on saying that I was not dead, but she found it difficult to believe me.
on saying that I was not dead, but she found it difficult to believe me.
Health challenges
Although
I have returned from the land of the dead, I have not fully regained my health
as I am talking to you. I have both chest and body pains. In fact, medically
speaking, I am not alright. I usually run strange temperature. That
was why I visited the Federal Medical Centre, Idi Aba for medical
treatment. I vomit blood each time I cough. I can’t engage in any hard labour.
I have returned from the land of the dead, I have not fully regained my health
as I am talking to you. I have both chest and body pains. In fact, medically
speaking, I am not alright. I usually run strange temperature. That
was why I visited the Federal Medical Centre, Idi Aba for medical
treatment. I vomit blood each time I cough. I can’t engage in any hard labour.
Besides,
a lot of strange things have started happening to me. Sometimes, I feel
as if I am still in the mortuary. I will be seeing a lot of heads. My
sight is not normal, it sometimes fails me. I have also started giving messages
to people about things that they don’t know about their family.
a lot of strange things have started happening to me. Sometimes, I feel
as if I am still in the mortuary. I will be seeing a lot of heads. My
sight is not normal, it sometimes fails me. I have also started giving messages
to people about things that they don’t know about their family.
I
started revealing to them what had happened in the past to their astonishment.
This has made many people to run away from me with some describing me as a
demon. To be sure that I am not a ghost, I tried to relate with my friends as
well as eat with them. Despite this a few of my friends still avoid to shake
hands with me, thinking that I am a ghost.
started revealing to them what had happened in the past to their astonishment.
This has made many people to run away from me with some describing me as a
demon. To be sure that I am not a ghost, I tried to relate with my friends as
well as eat with them. Despite this a few of my friends still avoid to shake
hands with me, thinking that I am a ghost.
I am homeless
You
ask where I live? To answer straight, I am homeless, because I am currently
squatting with my younger sister, causing her and her family
inconveniences. Even though she is not complaining, I know that I am
inconveniencing her.
ask where I live? To answer straight, I am homeless, because I am currently
squatting with my younger sister, causing her and her family
inconveniences. Even though she is not complaining, I know that I am
inconveniencing her.
I have
been given quit notice in Osogbo after my landlord heard of the incident.
According to him, he could not live with Akudaaya (ghost). I stayed at No 1,
Rasco Hall, Oke Fia, Osun State, Osogbo, It was the ejection that informed my
living with my sister here (Abeokuta).
been given quit notice in Osogbo after my landlord heard of the incident.
According to him, he could not live with Akudaaya (ghost). I stayed at No 1,
Rasco Hall, Oke Fia, Osun State, Osogbo, It was the ejection that informed my
living with my sister here (Abeokuta).
I need
serious financial assistance from well-meaning Nigerians to take care of my
health and sustenance. Survival is difficult for me. That is why I
appeal to Nigerians to come to my aid. I want to stop being a burden to my
sister and her nuclear family. I want individuals as well as corporate bodies
and churches to help me financially. God will surely replenish their purses in
abundance in Jesus name.
serious financial assistance from well-meaning Nigerians to take care of my
health and sustenance. Survival is difficult for me. That is why I
appeal to Nigerians to come to my aid. I want to stop being a burden to my
sister and her nuclear family. I want individuals as well as corporate bodies
and churches to help me financially. God will surely replenish their purses in
abundance in Jesus name.
I had
a broken home some years back and I remarried two years ago, but when the
incident happened, the woman abandoned me and ran away from Osogbo.
a broken home some years back and I remarried two years ago, but when the
incident happened, the woman abandoned me and ran away from Osogbo.
I want
to appeal to Nigerians and other people that there is God. I want them to
believe that there is life after death; so we should do good to our fellow
beings. Heaven and Hell are real. Where we want to go is an option for us
to decide. I want people to know that it is just a matter of seconds between life
and death.
to appeal to Nigerians and other people that there is God. I want them to
believe that there is life after death; so we should do good to our fellow
beings. Heaven and Hell are real. Where we want to go is an option for us
to decide. I want people to know that it is just a matter of seconds between life
and death.
Source: Sun
