The Rivers State Police Command has launched an investigation right into a tragic incident during which six members of a household had been discovered lifeless of their house at Ogale, Eleme Native Authorities Space of Rivers State.
The incident, described by the police as a case of Sudden and Unnatural Dying (SUD), occurred on Saturday, January 11, 2026, at about 3:00 p.m., in line with a press launch issued by the Command.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent of Police, Grace Iringe-Koko, mentioned the tragedy got here to gentle after one Godwin Ogosu of Ogale, Eleme, raised a misery name, reporting that his elder brother, his spouse and their youngsters, who had gone to mattress the earlier evening, had not woken up, with the doorways to their room nonetheless locked from the within.
Appearing swiftly on the report, operatives hooked up to the Eleme Police Division had been mobilised to the scene. On arrival, the officers compelled open the locked room and found the lifeless our bodies of the occupants.
The deceased had been recognized as Theophilus Obele, a 49-year-old male; his spouse, Eunice Obele, 35; their youngsters — Saka Obele, 18; Peace Obele, 14; and Nyimenka Obele, 7; in addition to one other male, Abel Nwaka, aged 25.
Preliminary investigations by the police counsel that the victims could have died from generator fume inhalation. In accordance with the police, a generator was discovered operating in the home’s parlour, elevating robust suspicion of carbon monoxide poisoning.
The our bodies have since been evacuated and deposited on the Final Residence Mortuary in Ebubu, Eleme, for post-mortem, whereas photographic proof was taken on the scene. CSP Iringe-Koko mentioned investigations are ongoing to find out the precise reason for demise and to rule out another potential elements.
Reacting to the incident, the Commissioner of Police, Rivers State Command, CP Olugbenga A. Adepoju, described the incident as tragic and directed an intensive investigation.
He additionally used the chance to warning residents in regards to the risks of improper generator use, advising that mills ought to all the time be positioned in well-ventilated outside areas, far-off from doorways, home windows, and air vents.
“Turbines ought to by no means be operated in parlours, garages, sheds or partially enclosed areas, as this poses a severe threat of carbon monoxide poisoning,” the Commissioner warned, urging residents to prioritise their security and that of their households.
The Rivers State Police Command prolonged its heartfelt condolences to the households of the deceased, because the incident has thrown the Ogale neighborhood into mourning and renewed issues over generator-related deaths within the state.