The Anambra State Police Command has officially disclosed that a family of five lost their lives due to carbon monoxide poisoning at a residence in Oze Village, Nkwelle Ezunaka.
According to the statement issued by DSP Ikenga Tochukwu, the Police Public Relations Officer, the unfortunate incident occurred as a result of inhaling fumes emitted by a generator, which was improperly placed within the house’s electricity grid without adequate ventilation.
The deceased individuals have been identified as Ifeanyi Okoh, aged 32, from Akebugu, Enugu State, his wife Chiamaka Okoh, aged 28, and their two children, Chinecherem Okoh (3 years old), and Catherine Okoh (2 years old).
Also, it was confirmed that the wife’s mother, Anthonia Onwukube, aged 56, also tragically lost her life in the incident.
“An autopsy conducted on the corpses revealed the cause of death to be carbon monoxide poisoning,” the statement reads.
It adds, “They were killed by fumes from the generator.”
It stated further, “A visit to the scene of the crime revealed a generator connected to the house electricity grid and kept in a confined space without proper ventilation. ”
In light of this heartbreaking event, the Commissioner of Police, Aderemi Adeoye, expressed condolences to the bereaved families and highlighted the importance of avoiding the use of generators indoors due to the lethal carbon monoxide gas they emit.
The commissioner emphasised the need to keep generators in well-ventilated areas during operation to prevent such preventable tragedies.
The statement underscores the commitment of the police command to continuously raise awareness among the public regarding domestic hazards that can pose serious risks to life, with the ultimate aim of reducing needless and avoidable fatalities.
