A heartbreaking incident occurred on Tuesday in Akaajime community, Mbakpegh, Ipav district of Gboko Local Government Area, Benue State, where a family of six was found unconscious in their home. Sadly, a four-year-old boy died, while five others were rushed to the hospital.
The victims were identified as Mrs. Mde Joseph, the mother of the family, along with her children: 12-year-old Miss Terkuma Kumawues, 10-year-old Miss Chivirter Avalumun, 7-year-old Master Teryange Avalumun, and 4-year-old Master Sunday Surnen, who was sadly confirmed dead before reaching the hospital.
According to family member Mohivinze Terkura, she had spent the night with her aunt due to heavy rain. When she returned the next morning around 10 a.m., she found the family’s one-room apartment locked from the inside. After knocking several times and getting no response, she broke in — only to discover her mother and siblings unconscious.
She quickly raised an alarm, and neighbors helped rush the victims to a nearby private hospital. Sadly, four-year-old Sunday was already dead before they arrived. The other five were successfully revived.
Terkura said she noticed a strange chemical smell inside the room but was confused because the family does not use cooking gas or insecticides. “We only use mosquito nets. We don’t know what caused it,” she said.
One of the surviving children, 11-year-old Aondohemba Joseph, later said he woke up unable to move or wake his family members. He was still unconscious when his sister entered the room and found them.
Dr. Joshua Atime of Vawar Hospital in Akaajime confirmed receiving the patients but said they were later referred to the General Hospital in Gboko for further treatment. “One of them had already died at home. We stabilized the rest,” he said.
As of now, the exact cause of the incident remains unknown. Investigations are ongoing.
Efforts to reach the Benue State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, for a comment were unsuccessful, as calls and messages went unanswered.
