A heartbreaking incident in the Agyaragu community, Obi Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, has claimed the lives of five children on Sunday.
The children, aged between six and ten years, suffocated inside an old, abandoned vehicle parked in a residential compound.
Samuel Akala, a resident of the community and Publicity Secretary of the Migili Youth Association, confirmed the tragic event to PUNCH in Lafia. The incident occurred around 3:00 p.m., casting a shadow of sorrow over the community.
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Akala reported that some of the children were found dead at the scene, while others were pronounced dead after being rushed to Aro Hospital, Agyaragu. The incident has been reported to the police at the Duglu Trailer Park in the area.
The bodies of the victims have been transported to a mortuary in Lafia, the state capital.
The Nasarawa State Police Command also confirmed the incident through a statement issued by its spokesperson, SP Ramhan Nansel. The police have launched a full investigation into the deaths following a directive from the Commissioner of Police, CP Shetima Jauro Mohammed.
The statement reads: “The Nasarawa State Police Command has launched a full investigation into the unfortunate deaths of five children who were found lifeless inside an abandoned, unserviceable vehicle in the Agyaragu community of Obi Local Government Area.
“On May 4, 2025, at about 17:30 hrs, one Mr. Ozimna Ogbor, a resident of Agyaragu, reported at the Agyaragu Divisional Headquarters that five children—Kamsi Onah (male, 8 years), Somer Onah (male, 6 years), Unice Udouchi (female, 10 years), Nmasoma Nnaji (female, 10 years), and Chioma Nnaji (female, 8 years)—were discovered unresponsive inside a disused vehicle parked in the compound of one Mr. Abu Agyeme, also a resident of Agyaragu.
“Acting swiftly on the report, the Commissioner of Police, CP Shetima Jauro Mohammed, directed the Divisional Police Officer and his team to proceed immediately to the scene.
“Upon arrival, the officers found the victims locked inside the abandoned vehicle. The children were promptly evacuated to Aro Hospital, Agyaragu, where a medical doctor, regrettably, confirmed all five children dead due to suspected suffocation.”
SP Nansel further highlighted that the incident serves as a painful reminder of a similar tragedy in August 2019, when two children lost their lives in an abandoned vehicle in the Keffi Local Government Area.
Expressing his condolences, Nansel conveyed deep sorrow for the families of the victims and emphasized the police’s commitment to fully investigating the incident. He also took the opportunity to warn parents, guardians, and vehicle owners to remain vigilant and ensure that children do not have access to parked or abandoned vehicles without proper supervision.
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