By Muhammed Ogwu Danjuma, Lafia
Tragedy struck Agyaragu community in Obi Local Government Area of Nasarawa State on Sunday as five children were confirmed dead after suffocating inside an abandoned vehicle.
The children, aged between 6 and 10 years, were said to have entered the unserviceable vehicle parked in a residential compound, where they later died from lack of air circulation.
Confirming the incident, the Publicity Secretary of the Migili Youth Association, Mr. Samuel Akala, said the community was thrown into deep grief when the lifeless bodies of the children were discovered around 3:00 p.m. on Sunday.
According to Akala, some of the children died at the scene, while others were pronounced dead at Aroh Hospital, Agyaragu. He noted that the case had been promptly reported to the Nigeria Police at the Duglu Trailer Park Division.
Further confirmation came from the spokesperson of the Nasarawa State Police Command, SP Ramhan Nansel, who disclosed that the command has commenced a full-scale investigation into the circumstances surrounding the tragic deaths, following directives from the Commissioner of Police, CP Shetima Jauro Mohammed.
Nansel’s statement read in part:
“On May 4, 2025, at about 5:30 p.m., one Mr. Ozimna Ogbor reported to the Agyaragu Division that five children—Kamsi Onah (8), Somer Onah (6), Unice Udouchi (10), Nmasoma Nnaji (10), and Chioma Nnaji (8)—were discovered unconscious inside an abandoned car belonging to Mr. Abu Agyeme. Officers swiftly visited the scene and evacuated the victims to Aroh Hospital, where they were confirmed dead by a medical doctor.”
The police described the incident as a painful reminder of a similar occurrence in August 2019, when two children died in an abandoned vehicle in Keffi LGA.
While expressing deep condolences to the grieving families, the police urged parents, guardians, and community members to ensure abandoned vehicles are properly secured and inaccessible to children.
The remains of the deceased children have been deposited at a mortuary in Lafia, the state capital.
