Family of 6 found unconscious, one dead in Benue
A family of six in the Akaajime community of Mbakpegh, Ipav in Gboko Local Government Area of Benue State, was reportedly found unconscious in their one-room apartment on Tuesday, leaving a four-year-old child dead and five others hospitalized. The victims were listed as Mrs Mde Joseph (mother), Miss Terkuma Kumawues (12), Miss Chivirter Avalumun (10), […]
A family of six in the Akaajime community of Mbakpegh, Ipav in Gboko Local Government Area of Benue State, was reportedly found unconscious in their one-room apartment on Tuesday, leaving a four-year-old child dead and five others hospitalized.
The victims were listed as Mrs Mde Joseph (mother), Miss Terkuma Kumawues (12), Miss Chivirter Avalumun (10), Master Teryange Avalumun (7) and Master Sunday Surnen (4), who was declared dead before reaching the hospital.
Our correspondent gathered that the family appeared healthy when they went to bed on Monday night.
Mohivinze Terkura, also a member of the family who escaped the tragedy, said she returned home around 10am on Tuesday after spending the night with her aunt due to heavy rain, only to find the door locked from the inside.
Terkura was said to have forced the door open after repeated knocks failed and no one responded, only to discover her mother and siblings unconscious.
She raised the alarm, which attracted neighbours to the scene and the victims were immediately rushed to a private hospital, where doctors successfully revived five of them.
Meanwhile, Terkura said she perceived a strange chemical odour in the room, although they do not use gas or insecticides.
“We rely on mosquito nets and have no explanation for what happened,” Terkura said.
However, one of the revived children, 11-year-old Aondohemba Joseph, recounted being unable to move or wake his mother and siblings before his sister intervened.
The private hospital confirmed to journalists in Makurdi that the exact cause of the incident was still under investigation.
Dr Joshua Atime of Vawar hospital, Akaajime Gboko, who attended to patients when they were brought in, said the cause of the incident was not yet known.
“They indeed brought some patients to my hospital, and I only stabilised them and transferred them to General Hospital, Gboko. One died at home,” the doctor said.
Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Udeme Edet, did not respond to calls or messages put through her telephone for comment on the matter.