Family of Seven Found Dead in Their Apartment in Oshodi, Lagos

The bodies of a family of seven, including the patriarch, his pregnant wife, their twins and two other kids, were on Wednesday found dead in their one-room apartment at the Mafoluku area of Lagos State.

Although the police were yet to officially state the cause of death, it was alleged that it might not be unconnected to fumes from their generator at their residence at no 9, Olowora Street or the unfinished pot of rice.

The deceased persons were identified as Mr. Zakariah Bello, the father; his wife, a petty trader; their four children, three daughters – 11-year-old Aliyah; five-year-old twins – Taiye and Kehinde, a nine-year-old boy named Farida and a 17-year-old female relative.

According to the neighbours, by 8am they had all woken up, except for the family, which prompted to forcefully open the one-room apartment door.

One of the neighbours who spoke on anonymity said they had first knocked but when it elicited no response, they forced the door open and saw the lifeless bodies, including that of their relative, who came to visit them.

They said a cursory look has revealed that their generator was on, while a leftover pot of cooked rice was on the stove.

Although the police did not indicate whether it was the generator fumes or the rice, they took the latter away when they arrived.

The deceased persons, who had foam on their mouths, were rushed to the hospital but they were declared dead on arrival.

 Another neighbour also disclosed that the family had lived in that particular compound for six years without any mishap.

As at press time, officials from Oshodi Local Government Council have sealed the building with backing from policemen from the Makinde Police Station.

In the midst of the pandemonium caused by the deaths, some miscreants attempted to pilfer the belongings of the family but were stopped by the Makinde Divisional Police Officer, who was among the first respondents to arrive the scene.