Tragedy struck the quiet Akaajime community in Mbakpegh, Ipav, Gboko Local Government Area of Benue State, on Tuesday when a family of seven was caught in a mysterious incident that left one child dead and six others unconscious in their one-room apartment.
The incident, which occurred in the early hours of the day, threw the community into confusion and panic. The victims were rushed to a nearby private hospital in Akaajime, but sadly, a four-year-old boy, Sunday Surnen, was confirmed dead before help could arrive.
According to reports, the incident was discovered by a member of the family, Miss Mohivinze Terkura, who had spent the night elsewhere due to heavy rainfall and only returned around 10 a.m.
Speaking to journalists, Miss Terkura recounted her shock and confusion upon discovering her family unresponsive in the room.
“When I came back in the morning, I noticed the door was locked from inside. That was strange because by that time, my mother and siblings should have been up and preparing for the day,” she said.
“After knocking several times and getting no response, I forced the door open and found all of them unconscious. I screamed and called neighbours who came to assist in taking them to the hospital. Sadly, my little brother Sunday had already died,” she added in tears.
She also noted that the room had a strange chemical smell, which made her suspect that something toxic might have been in the air.
“We don’t use gas for cooking and we don’t spray insecticide in the room because we always sleep under mosquito nets. But there was a harsh chemical smell inside. I don’t know where it came from,” she said.
The victims were identified as their mother, Mrs. Mde Joseph, and five children: Terkuma Kumawues (12), Chivirter Avalumun (10), Teryange Avalumun (7), Aondohemba Joseph (11), and the late Sunday Surnen (4).
One of the survivors, Aondohemba Joseph, who regained consciousness at the hospital, gave a chilling account of how the day began.
“I woke up like I normally do to get ready for school, but I couldn’t move my body. I tried to call my mother, but she didn’t answer. Everyone else in the room was unconscious. I was very scared,” he said.
He further explained that their mother had mistakenly woken up around 2 a.m. to begin cooking but, upon realising it was too early, returned to sleep in the room with the rest of the family. It was after this that the mysterious event unfolded.
Health officials are yet to confirm the exact cause of the incident, but the unusual chemical smell in the room is now a major focus of investigation. There are concerns that it could be related to carbon monoxide poisoning or some other form of toxic inhalation, possibly from a nearby source.
So far, neither the Benue State Ministry of Health nor the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has issued an official statement on the matter. However, health authorities have reportedly begun investigations to determine what led to the tragedy.
The case has drawn public sympathy and concern, with many residents calling for urgent intervention and proper environmental safety checks in residential areas.
A local community leader, Mr. James Tyovenda, described the incident as “a painful and mysterious occurrence that must be fully investigated.”
“We’ve never experienced anything like this here. We are deeply saddened. The authorities must find out what happened so that it doesn’t happen to another family,” he said.
The affected family remains hospitalised, with medical staff working around the clock to ensure their recovery. Meanwhile, residents have been advised to remain cautious and report any suspicious smells or health issues to local health centres.
This tragic event adds to a growing list of public health concerns in Benue State, which has also been grappling with Lassa fever outbreaks and other environmental health challenges in recent months.
