Six members of a family, including four children and their parents, have died in Rivers State in what police say may be a case of generator fume poisoning, sparking shock and fear in the community.
The incident occurred in Ogale community, Eleme Local Government Area, where the family reportedly went to bed on Saturday night but were found dead in their room on Sunday.
A community source, Obarilomate, said the family failed to wake up in the morning, triggering panic among neighbours. He said the victims were believed to have left their power generator running inside the parlour overnight.
The Rivers State Police Command confirmed the deaths and said an investigation has been launched to determine the exact cause. The incident has been recorded as a Sudden and Unnatural Death (SUD).
Police spokesperson Grace Iringe-Koko said the case was reported on January 11, 2026, at about 3:00 p.m., after a distress call was received from one Godwin Ogosu of Ogale, Eleme, who said his elder brother, his wife and their children had gone to bed the previous night but did not wake up, with the doors still locked.
She said officers from the Eleme Division forced open the doors and found all six family members lying lifeless inside the room.
“Preliminary investigation suggests possible generator fume poisoning, as the generator was reportedly left on in the parlour,” Iringe-Koko said.
The bodies have been deposited at the Last Home Mortuary in Ebubu, Eleme, for autopsy, while investigations continue.
