The Rivers State Police Command has initiated a full-scale investigation following the heartbreaking discovery of six family members dead inside their home in the Ogale community of Eleme Local Government Area.
A Distressing Discovery in Ogale
The incident, which police are treating as a case of Sudden and Unnatural Death (SUD), unfolded on Saturday, January 11, 2026. According to an official statement, the alarm was raised by one Godwin Ogosu, a relative who became concerned after his elder brother's family failed to emerge from their room. He reported that the doors were still locked from the inside.
Officers from the Eleme Police Division swiftly responded to the distress call. Upon forcing entry into the locked room, they made a grim discovery: the lifeless bodies of all six occupants.
Victims Identified, Generator Suspected
The deceased have been identified as Theophilus Obele, 49; his wife, Eunice Obele, 35; and their children: Saka Obele, 18; Peace Obele, 14; and Nyimenka Obele, 7. Also found in the room was Abel Nwaka, aged 25.
Preliminary investigation points strongly to generator fume inhalation as the cause. The police revealed that a generator was found running in the parlour of the house, leading to a strong suspicion of carbon monoxide poisoning. The colourless, odourless gas is a deadly byproduct of fuel combustion.
The bodies have been evacuated and deposited at the Last Home Mortuary in Ebubu, Eleme, for an autopsy to confirm the exact cause of death. Police photographers documented the scene as part of the ongoing inquiry.
Police Commissioner Issues Vital Safety Warning
The Commissioner of Police for Rivers State Command, CP Olugbenga A. Adepoju, described the event as profoundly tragic and ordered a thorough investigation. He seized the moment to issue a critical public safety advisory to residents on the dangers of improper generator use.
The Commissioner emphatically warned that generators must never be operated in enclosed or partially enclosed spaces like parlours, garages, or sheds. He advised that generators should always be placed in well-ventilated outdoor areas, far from doors, windows, and air vents to prevent deadly carbon monoxide from seeping into living quarters.
The Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed that investigations continue to determine the definitive cause and rule out any other factors. The Command has extended its deepest condolences to the bereaved family and the entire Ogale community, which has been plunged into mourning.
This tragic incident has reignited concerns over the recurring menace of generator-related deaths in Nigeria, highlighting the urgent need for heightened public awareness on safety measures.
