Generator fume kills family of four

AT least four members of a family, including a three months old baby, have been killed by the fume of the generator servicing their residence at Obajana, Lokoja local government area of Kogi state.

The head of the house, Mr John Ayodele, his wife and their two children were on Monday found dead in their apartment in the town, which is about 20 kilometers to the state capital.

Neighbours of the deceased were said to have discovered their decomposing bodies when they could not see them around for two days.

The last time the man was seen in the area was last Friday, which led to apprehension among the people.

Tension heightened over his continued indoor till Saturday evening with calls on his mobile telephone unanswered.

A relative of the family, Chief Richard Asaje, however said following the disappearance from the public, he and others had to check on him and offensive odour came from the residence.

He said policemen from Obajana Division were alerted and when the door was forced open, the decomposing bodies were discovered.

Asaje explained that power generator fume was suspected as the cause, following the discovery of a power generator there.

He said, “The incident happened between Friday/Saturday. It should be around 12am Saturday. He put a generator inside his toilet and locked the door. The house is a concrete building and it was discovered that he locked the window.

“Unfortunately, we never knew something had happened the second day, so we forced the door open following the stench emanating from the house.

“The Husband should be around 35, but the wife is less than 30 years. The daughter that died is around four years and the last born is a Boy and is about three months.

“To us as a family is a shocking thing but there is no suspect because their death was caused by the fume of the generator. It has indeed thrown the family into serous mourning mood.

Reacting, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Kogi state command, William Aya, said the death was sudden and unnatural.

He said, “Four people died and we got the information.  The police Divisional Police officer went to the place and evacuated the body to the mortuary.

“The cause of the death is yet to be ascertained. It is the autopsy that will ascertain the cause of the death.”