The Rivers State Police Command has initiated a full-scale investigation following the shocking and sudden death of six members of the same family in the Ogale community of Eleme Local Government Area.
A Grim Discovery in a Locked Room
The heartbreaking incident unfolded on Thursday, January 11, around 3:00 PM. According to police reports, a man identified as Godwin Ogosu placed a distress call. He informed authorities that his elder brother, along with his wife and children, had retired to sleep the previous night but had not woken up. The doors to their room remained locked from the inside, raising immediate alarm.
Responding swiftly, police operatives from the Eleme Division mobilized to the scene. They were forced to break into the locked room, where they made a grim discovery: the lifeless bodies of all six family members.
Victims Identified, Cause Suspected
The victims have been officially identified as:
- Theophilus Obele, 49-year-old male
- Eunice Obele, 35-year-old female
- Saka Obele, 18-year-old male
- Peace Obele, 14-year-old female
- Nyimenka Obele, 7-year-old male
- Abel Nwaka, 25-year-old male
Confirming the details to journalists, the command's spokesperson, CSP Grace Iringe-Koku, stated that preliminary investigations strongly suggest the cause of death was poisoning from generator fumes. It was reported that a power-generating set was left running inside the parlour of the victims' residence.
Police Response and Crucial Safety Warning
CSP Iringe-Koku further disclosed that the bodies have been moved to the Last Home Mortuary in Ebubu Eleme for an autopsy to conclusively determine the cause of death. Photographic evidence has been secured, and the investigation remains active.
The State Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga A. Adepoju, has ordered a thorough and comprehensive probe into the tragic event. In light of this preventable disaster, the police issued a critical public safety advisory. They strongly cautioned residents against using generators in enclosed spaces.
The police emphasized that generators must always be placed in well-ventilated outdoor areas, far from doors, windows, and air vents. They warned that positioning generators in parlours, garages, sheds, or any partially enclosed space is extremely dangerous and can lead to a lethal buildup of carbon monoxide gas. The public was urged to prioritize their safety and that of their neighbours by adhering strictly to these guidelines.
