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How we lost 5 kids in abandoned vehicle – Grieving Nasarawa mothers
How we lost 5 kids in abandoned vehicle – Grieving Nasarawa mothers
Sunday, May 4, 2025, will remain a dark day in the hearts of the people of the Agyaragu community in Obi Local Government Area of Nasarawa State. While Christians across the world gathered to worship, residents of this quiet farming community were plunged into mourning following the tragic death of five children who suffocated inside an abandoned vehicle parked in a residential compound.
Agyaragu, located on the outskirts of Lafia along the Makurdi highway, is home to a diverse population, including the Mada, Eggon, Migili, and Kaberi ethnic groups. Farming is the main occupation here, and life is often quiet and communal, until the recent tragedy.
Our correspondent visited the community, which had become a shadow of itself. Residents—men, women, and children—gathered in clusters, speaking in hushed tones and weeping as they tried to make sense of the heartbreaking incident.
This was not the first time Nasarawa State had witnessed such a tragedy. In August 2013, two children of a chief imam died after locking themselves in their father’s car in Sabon Pegi, Lafia.
A similar incident occurred in August 2019 in Keffi, claiming the lives of two children. The Agyaragu incident marks the third of its kind in the state’s recent history.
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One of the grieving mothers, Mrs Ifeoma Nnaji, 45, lost her two daughters – Nmesoma, 7, and Chidima, who would have turned 4 on May 8.
Through tears, she narrated her ordeal, saying, “I was with them in the morning before I left for church. I gave them breakfast and told them not to leave the compound. They asked if they could play outside, and I agreed. That was the last time I saw them alive.”
Mrs Nnaji said the abandoned vehicle had been parked in the compound for years and was always locked. “They had never played near it before. I don’t know how they managed to open it.”
The search for the children began around 1 pm and lasted until 2.30 pm. “We searched everywhere—every house in the area. We even informed the Mai Angwa to make an announcement,” she recalled. “Eventually, someone suggested we check the abandoned vehicle, and there they were, lifeless.”
Mrs Nnaji, who lost her husband just seven months ago, broke down. “I have no husband, no children left. It’s just me and God now.
“My late husband didn’t go through the kind of trauma I’m facing right now. He died, and they buried him. But for me, I not only experienced the death of my husband, but I’m still living through the pain of losing my two daughters. After seven months of my husband’s death, I will now have to carry their bodies to the village and bury them myself,” she lamented.
Mrs Bridget Iormagh lost her granddaughter, Eunice Shapera, 5, popularly called Bose. “She was always by my doorstep. She never wandered far because she was afraid of the dogs in that compound. That day, however, Eunice joined the other children to play.
“I had stepped out briefly to buy something. When I came back, she was gone. We searched everywhere, even rode motorcycles (okadas) around the community. Eventually, we returned to Mrs Nnaji’s compound and insisted she open her door, thinking they may have fallen asleep in her house.
“But it was a man we call ‘Doctor’ – a patent medicine store owner in the compound – who checked the abandoned car and found them inside,” she said.
Mrs Iormagh revealed that, “I had lost all my children before and brought Eunice to live with me. Now, she’s gone too.”
Nasarawa govt mourns
The Nasarawa State government has extended condolences to three bereaved families following the tragic death of five young girls.
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Leading a delegation on a condolence visit, the deputy governor of the state, Dr Emmanuel Akabe, described the incident as “heartbreaking and tragic,” expressing deep sorrow over the untimely death of the children.
Accompanied by commissioners, special advisers, and the chairman of Obi Local Government Council, Dr Akabe urged the grieving families to take the devastating incident as an act of God.
“Death has cut short their dreams at such a tender age. It is painful, but we must not question God’s will. He gives and takes life at His appointed time,” he said solemnly.
He added that the government and the people of Nasarawa State stand in solidarity with the affected families during this moment of grief and prayed for strength and healing.
Representatives of the families – Mr Stephen Gen, Odo Sebastine and Ambrose Ugwueze – expressed appreciation for the visit, calling for more prayers and community vigilance.
Samuel Akala, Publicity Secretary of the Migili Youth Association and a community resident, confirmed the incident occurred around 3 pm on Sunday. He said some children were found dead in the vehicle; others died at Aro Hospital, Agyaragu.
The Nasarawa State Police Command, through its spokesman SP Ramhan Nansel, confirmed the tragedy and announced a full investigation.
In a statement, he said on May 4, 2025, at about 5.30 pm, one Mr Ozimna Ogbor reported that five children, Kamsi Onah, Soma Onah, Eunice Udouchi, Nmesoma Nnaji and Chioma Nnaji, were found unresponsive inside an abandoned vehicle belonging to Mr Abu Agyeme in Agyaragu.
He said the children were evacuated to the hospital, where doctors confirmed their deaths due to suspected suffocation.
The police pledged to determine the circumstances behind how the children gained access to the vehicle.
Nansel urged parents and vehicle owners to remain vigilant and ensure children do not have access to parked or abandoned vehicles.
How we lost 5 kids in abandoned vehicle – Grieving Nasarawa mothers
DAILY TRUST
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EFCC Debunks Fake Wanted Poster of Sabinus
EFCC Debunks Fake Wanted Poster of Sabinus
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has dismissed as false a viral “wanted” poster featuring popular Nigerian comedian Emmanuel Chukwuemeka Ejekwu, widely known as Sabinus, describing it as fake, misleading, and the work of mischief-makers.
In a statement shared via its official social media platforms on Thursday, the anti-graft agency clearly stamped the circulating image “FAKE NEWS”, warning individuals responsible for spreading such content to desist. In a strongly worded caption, the EFCC wrote, “Clout chaser, stop this now!” — signaling frustration over the growing trend of misinformation online.
The doctored poster, which spread rapidly across social media, mimicked the official EFCC “wanted” notice format, including the agency’s logo and layout. It falsely claimed that Sabinus, allegedly aged 43, was wanted for obtaining money under false pretence, and even listed a supposed last known address in Victoria Island, Lagos State.
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However, further checks confirm that no such notice exists on any official EFCC platform, including its verified website and social media pages, which are the only legitimate channels through which the commission declares individuals wanted. The agency reiterated that all authentic wanted notices are publicly verifiable, urging Nigerians to rely on official sources before sharing sensitive claims.
The EFCC did not disclose whether it has identified those behind the fabricated poster but emphasized that the spread of false information could have serious legal and reputational consequences. The commission has, in recent years, intensified warnings against the circulation of fake news, impersonation of government agencies, and digital misinformation, particularly on social media.
Sabinus, a widely recognised entertainer known for his viral comedy skits and brand endorsements, commands a massive following both within Nigeria and internationally. As of the time of reporting, he has not publicly reacted to the incident.
The development highlights growing concerns about the misuse of digital platforms to create convincing but false narratives, especially involving public figures. Authorities continue to advise the public to verify information carefully and avoid amplifying unconfirmed reports that could harm individuals or undermine public trust.
EFCC Debunks Fake Wanted Poster of Sabinus
metro
12-Year-Old Dies After Alleged Bullying at FGC, Ikot Ekpene
12-Year-Old Dies After Alleged Bullying at FGC, Ikot Ekpene
Tension and outrage have gripped Federal Government College, Ikot Ekpene in Akwa Ibom State after a 12-year-old Junior Secondary School 2 student, Ufokobong Edwin Godwin, reportedly died following alleged bullying by a senior student over provisions. The incident, which began before the Easter break, has raised serious concerns about student safety and bullying in Nigerian schools.
The attack reportedly occurred when a Senior Secondary School 3 student demanded provisions from the younger pupil during terminal examinations. Godwin refused, saying he did not have enough to share. Witnesses allege that the senior student responded with physical violence, repeatedly striking Godwin on the neck and throat, causing him to faint multiple times. Other students only intervened after the assault escalated.
Godwin was initially hospitalized on Easter Sunday for a neck injury. He briefly regained consciousness but was later returned to school without his parents being informed of the seriousness of the incident. Upon returning home for the holiday, the boy began complaining of severe neck and throat pain. Despite taking pain relief medication at home, his condition worsened, prompting his father to rush him back to the hospital, where he tragically died. Medical personnel later confirmed that his death resulted from complications associated with blood clots around the neck and throat area.
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The school principal, Mr. Jude Ezeogu, described the incident as deeply unfortunate and confirmed that the school community is in mourning. He said a school management committee will meet to review the circumstances surrounding the student’s death and communicate their findings to the public.
The family of the deceased has called on the Federal Government of Nigeria to investigate the matter and ensure justice. The boy’s father urged the authorities to intervene, saying he would provide more details at an appropriate time.
The tragic death of Ufokobong Edwin Godwin has reignited discussions about bullying, student protection, and campus safety across Nigeria, with parents and education stakeholders calling for stricter measures to prevent such incidents in boarding schools.
12-Year-Old Dies After Alleged Bullying at FGC, Ikot Ekpene
metro
Boko Haram Attack in Borno: Brigadier-General, Soldiers Killed as ISWAP Overruns Military Base
Boko Haram Attack in Borno: Brigadier-General, Soldiers Killed as ISWAP Overruns Military Base
A deadly assault by insurgents linked to Boko Haram and its Islamic State-backed faction, Islamic State West Africa Province, has left several Nigerian troops dead, including a senior commander, following a late-night attack on a military base in Borno State.
The fresh Boko Haram attack in Borno reportedly took place on Wednesday night at a Joint Task Force formation in Benisheikh, located in Kaga Local Government Area along the busy Damaturu–Maiduguri highway.
Among those killed in the attack was Brigadier-General O. O. Braimah, commander of the 29 Brigade, alongside several officers, soldiers, and the brigade’s Imam. His death marks a significant setback in ongoing counterinsurgency operations in Nigeria’s North-East, with military sources describing the incident as one of the most intense recent assaults on a military formation in the region.
According to security sources, the attackers launched a coordinated assault using explosives and heavy gunfire, overwhelming troops after hours of intense fighting. The insurgents reportedly deployed improvised explosive devices (IEDs) to breach the base, engaged soldiers in sustained gunfire, and targeted critical military infrastructure. The prolonged attack caused panic within the base and surrounding communities, with casualties feared to be high, although official figures have not yet been released.
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Several soldiers were seriously injured during the Boko Haram attack, while others are still unaccounted for. Rescue operations are ongoing as the military works to locate missing personnel and secure the area.
The latest incident highlights renewed violence by insurgent groups in Borno. In recent weeks, Boko Haram and ISWAP attacks in Nigeria have intensified, targeting military bases, checkpoints, and civilian settlements. Security experts warn that the attack suggests growing operational strength of insurgents, increased vulnerability of remote military bases, and the need for improved intelligence and aerial surveillance.
As of the time of filing this report, the Nigerian military has yet to issue an official statement on the attack. However, reinforcements and surveillance operations have reportedly been deployed to the Benisheikh axis to prevent further attacks.
Despite years of military operations, Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province continue to pose serious threats in Nigeria’s North-East. The Borno attack on soldiers underscores persistent insecurity and raises fresh concerns about the safety of military formations and personnel in the region.
Boko Haram Attack in Borno: Brigadier-General, Soldiers Killed as ISWAP Overruns Military Base
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