Ighomuaye Lucky, Benin
Tragedy struck at Akpata Street, in Egor Local Government Area of Edo State, as a family of seven have been wiped off by generator fumes.
The family reportedly put on a generator in their kitchen on Monday night and left it to run throughout the night.
It was gathered that some neighbours raised an alarm when the bodies of the family were seen lifeless in the apartment when the door was opened.
The lifeless bodies of the occupants, which were brought to the Benin Central Hospital, attracted sympathisers who resorted to prayers; for God’s intervention.
Their remains were, however, deposited at the hospital’s mortuary, amidst weeping and wailing.
But, the father of the deceased children, identified as Tochukwu Okwueze, was said to have been taken to a hospital in the Eweka area of Benin for medical attention, after he was found to be in of coma.
“My younger one called me from Lagos and asked me what was happening. I said that I did not know.
“So, he told me to go the house, that something not pleasing to the ears had just happened. I called her (deceased woman’s) line. Somebody picked the call and said that they (victims) slept and did not wake up. I stay at Evbuotubu area, so, I went to the place.
“The whole family was affected. But the police told me that the father survived it.
“They said that although his case was serious, if there was the need to rush him to University of Benin Teaching Hospital, they would call me.
“It is a family of seven. The youngest is a set of twins”, one of the relatives of the deceased, Vincent, explained to journalists in Benin City yesterday.
Edo State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Johnson Kokumo, confirmed the incident.