...Shortly after packing into new apartment A family of three, including a baby, is alleged to have died in their sleep from inhalation of generator fumes, only a day after moving into their new apartment in Nyinkangbe-Gbeganu area, a suburb of Minna, Niger State capital.
The victims identified as Sheyi Adewale a generator mechanic, his wife, Deborah Adewale and daughter, were said to have died after moving from Barkin Sale to their new apartment at Nyinkangbe-Gbeganu some few days ago.
Their bodies were discovered by a family friend who was visiting in the early morning hours, after discovering that Sheyi was not in his workshop at Barikin- Sale, even as he raised alarm to attract the neighbours.
When sympathisers forced the door open, they discovered the lifeless bodies already decomposing and immediately alerted the state police command.
A neighbour, Baba Maryam said, "The entire community has been thrown into state of shock at the deaths of the couple and their baby, who only moved into their new apartment last Saturday evening".
While some said the cause of death was due to fume inhalation from the generator, others said the family may have been poisoned as the late Sheyi was said to have had a disagreement with someone over land.
He also said that after moving in, some family members were seen visiting, but after knocking on their door without response, they left oblivious of what had befallen them, until his friend arrived on Tuesday and discovered their bloated corpses.
Confirming the incident, the state Public Relations Officers, PPRO, Mr. Richard Oguche said the command is not suspecting any foul play, noting that when they gained entrance into the apartment, the generator exhaust was found facing the door and might have been the cause of death.
"When we went to scene of the incident, we discovered nothing suspicious. And since, we found a generator set near their bed room door, we suspected, they may have died from fume inhalation. When we got there, the windows were locked and their corpses were already bloated. So, we asked their families to bury them."
National Mirror