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8 children who died inside car: We opted to bury our children because officials demanded N.8m for autopsy — Bereaved parents

Published

3 years ago

December 7, 2021

…I put everything in the hands of God—Woman who lost 2 children

…I suspect the children might have been poisoned— Bereaved father

Mr. Ibrahim Jubrilia, father of two boys, Toheb and Mamud, who were among the eight lifeless bodies recovered inside a Honda Pilot SUV, with number plate, AAA157BD, abandoned inside a fenced house in Jah-Michael community, Olorunda area of Lagos State, has said he decided not to go ahead with the autopsy because of its cost.

Jubrilia, whose younger brother also lost two daughters, Aisha, 3, and Farida, 9, in the incident said: “They said the autopsy will cost N100,000 for each child. That is N800,000 for the children.

“Unfortunately, I can’t spend N800,000 to investigate the death of our children. So, we requested for their corpses, which we took home and buried after collecting document from the police.”

Jubrilia said: “I don’t want any case because as Muslims, it is forbidden to spend money investigating someone that is dead. We took their corpses to General Hospital, Badagry on Saturday, after police gave us report. At the General Hospital, they said they would transfer their corpses to Ikeja to do autopsy to find out what killed the children. They said the autopsy will cost N100,000 for each child. That is N800,000 for the eight children.”

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Recounting the death of the children, Jubrilia said: “I can’t confirm if the children actually died inside the vehicle from suffocation or they were killed and placed inside the vehicle.

“I was called around 4:30p.m. by Mummy Zainab, the woman who lost three children in the incident that I should come and see my children. Before I got there, they have brought out the corpses from the vehicle. They were all lying down on the ground. I saw seven of the children, including my son’s lying on the ground, my heart sanked. I almost collapsed. The eighth child is one of the granddaughters of Saliat Kazeem, who died on the way to the hospital.

“I called the community chairman. They said they want to take them to hospital. When I saw them, I knew they were dead. So, we went to the police station to make statement.”

I put everything to God—Woman who lost 3 children

When Vanguard visited the house, sympathisers filled the Isaka’s compound commiserating with the parents for their loss.

Narrating how the remains of the children were recovered, Hafsatu Isaka said: “I don’t know what happened, my neighbour was looking for her children who had gone to play with my kids. My eldest daughter called me saying my neighbour was searching for her children. It was while we were searching for the children that Saliat Kazeem from the other compound rushed in, saying I should come and see the children inside the vehicle.

“As I entered her compound, I noticed the vehicle had tinted glass, so, you have to look closely to see inside the vehicle. Her granddaughter was sitting inside the vehicle, while they laid one upon another, like they were placed there. My daughter Zainab was sitting with her head on her laps, while the other children laid one upon another. Immediately I saw them, I screamed lala hilala.

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“I ran out of the compound, I raised the alarm. I called out to other neighbours, I sent my daughter to go call my husband who was at the mosque. There was a young man that lives opposite Saliat Kazeem house where it happened, he was the one that rushed inside the house and brought out the car key and then we brought the children out of the vehicle. When my husband came, he started vomiting blood.

“My children don’t go to that compound to play. Their feet have never entered into that compound to play. The government should intervene. Will eight children’s death not be investigated? The police should investigate to find out what killed eight children. I want justice for the children and leave everything to God.”

I suspect they were poisoned –Father

Like his wife, Mr. Alidu Issaka, explained: “I wasn’t around when the incident happened, I was at Baba Bintu, close to Serki side. I stayed there for a while before entering the mosque to pray that was where I was when my daughter came to call me that something terrible had happened that her siblings, my children were dead.

“My children that died inside the vehicle are Zainab, 11; Abdulwahab, 5, and Yakubua, 3.

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“I was surprised because they just returned from Ile-kewu, where they went to learn Arabic studies. I took bike straight to the house. People had gathered. When I got to the house where the incident happened, they had already brought the children out of the vehicle. They were brought out before police’s arrival.

“I really don’t know what to say, but I suspect that the children were poisoned because at 1:30p.m., when I left the house, my children were still in the Arabic class at Ile-kewu. While passing through their school, all the children were inside learning. I thought I would see them on the way back so I would buy biscuit for the small one and tell them that their mother had prepared lunch for them, little did I know I would never see them alive again.

“Before the incident that happened on Saturday, my children have never gone to that compound to play. My children don’t enter there. They play within my compound and Mr. Ibrahim’s compound. That place is bushy, the place is always locked, and children don’t go in there because they don’t have playmates there.”

Meanwhile, residents of the community are calling on the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hakeem Odumosu, to keep his promise made on December 6, 2021, for a thorough and speedy investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths of the children, as they would not want the case swept under the carpet.

Vanguard

Related Topics:autopsy Bereaved bury children Featured officials parents

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Lagos govt clears traders from rail tracks at Bolade, Oshodi

Published

11 hours ago

December 31, 2024

Trends Admin

Lagos govt clears traders from rail tracks at Bolade, Oshodi

The Lagos State Government has removed traders operating on the rail tracks at Bolade, Oshodi, following a viral video that raised concerns about public safety.

The announcement was made by Tokunbo Wahab, Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, on Monday.

The clearance was done in collaboration with the Nigerian Army from the nearby Ikeja Cantonment.

Wahab’s statement read: “Following the viral video on social media, we’ve removed traders from the rail tracks at Bolade, opposite Arena Shopping Complex, in collaboration with Nigerian Army personnel from Ikeja Cantonment.”

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The viral video, originally shared on X (formerly Twitter) by a user identified as @dipoaina1 on December 28, depicted scenes of buying and selling taking place perilously close to the railway tracks.

The footage showed an NRC train on the Lagos-Ibadan rail track passing by as people continued their activities undeterred. The post highlighted the dangers posed by the lack of barriers, with @dipoaina1 suggesting the railway route be fenced with barbed wire to prevent such risky behavior.

The government’s swift response underscores its commitment to ensuring public safety and maintaining order around critical infrastructure. This move also aligns with broader efforts to address safety challenges associated with urban rail transportation in Lagos. However, the incident highlights the need for sustained proactive measures rather than reactive actions to prevent future occurrences.

Lagos govt clears traders from rail tracks at Bolade, Oshodi

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Four countries that won’t celebrate New Year

Published

11 hours ago

December 31, 2024

Trends Admin

Four countries that won’t celebrate New Year

In less than 12 hours, countries around the world will be celebrating a New Year – 2025.

However, there are some countries that will not join in the celebration as their calendars differ from the rest of the worlds’.

Ethiopia, Nepal, Iran, and Afghanistan are four countries that won’t be celebrating New Year’s Day 2025.

Ethiopia is a land of ancient traditions and unique cultural identities, including its own calendar system. The Ethiopian calendar, based on the Coptic calendar, comprises 13 months—12 of which have 30 days, while the 13th month, Pagumē, has five or six days depending on the leap year.

The Ethiopian New Year, known as Enkutatash, falls on Meskerem 1, which corresponds to September 11 or 12 in the Gregorian calendar. Interestingly, Ethiopia is about seven to eight years behind the Gregorian calendar, meaning that as the rest of the world enters 2025, Ethiopia will still be in 2017.

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Nepal embraces two traditional calendar systems—Vikram Samvat and Nepal Sambat—making it one of the most unique timekeeping cultures globally. Vikram Samvat, a lunisolar calendar, is the official calendar of Nepal and is approximately 57 years ahead of the Gregorian calendar.

Additionally, the Nepal Sambat, a lunar calendar, is used by the Newar community and runs on its own timeline, adding another layer of distinction to the nation’s calendar traditions. The official New Year celebration in Nepal, called Bisket Jatra, typically falls in April. Hence, January 1 is not a significant date in Nepal.

Iran follows the Solar Hijri calendar, which is one of the most accurate solar calendars in the world. This system begins with the vernal equinox, marking the first day of spring. The Iranian New Year, known as Nowruz, falls around March 21 and is celebrated with elaborate customs and rituals that date back over 3,000 years.

For Iranians, January 1 is an ordinary winter day, with their focus firmly set on the arrival of spring and the renewal it symbolises.

Afghanistan also uses the Solar Hijri calendar, aligning its timekeeping closely with Iran. Similarly, Nowruz marks the New Year in Afghanistan, celebrated with feasts, family gatherings, and cultural events.

Afghanistan’s rich history and adherence to its traditional calendar reflect its cultural pride and resistance to adopting the Gregorian system, making it one of the few nations where January 1 holds no special significance.

Four countries that won’t celebrate New Year

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Social media abuzz over Fayose claim of N50m donation to VeryDarkMan’s NGO

Published

11 hours ago

December 31, 2024

Trends Admin

Isaac Fayose

Social media abuzz over Fayose claim of N50m donation to VeryDarkMan’s NGO

Social media was set abuzz on the cusp of the new year when Isaac Fayose, the entrepreneur and younger brother to former Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose, claimed he had donated a staggering N50 million to the NGO of popular activist VeryDarkMan.

In a post that blended philanthropy with a touch of mischief, Fayose teased followers with the declaration, describing it as both a “prank” and a “blessing.”

However, the announcement didn’t land smoothly with everyone. While some praised Fayose’s generosity, others demanded proof of the hefty donation.

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“Show us the evidence,” a skeptical follower urged, echoing the sentiment of many. “Without proper investigation, it’s wrong to just believe such claims.”

The skepticism grew as other comments poured in. “Send a receipt, even if it’s fake, before we Ekiti people fall for this prank,” one user joked, while another humorously quipped, “Statement of account or no deal!”

Some followers, however, leaned into the fun side of the announcement. A playful comment from one admirer read, “I’m proud of you, baby. I’ll donate my kidney to you!” Meanwhile, others took a more serious tone, questioning why Fayose didn’t spearhead his own initiative instead of supporting another.

Fayose’s post, now a viral topic, continues to draw both laughter and criticism. While the jury is still out on the truth of the donation, one thing remains certain—Isaac Fayose knows how to get people talking.