Police probe death of 5 children found in abandoned car

Nasarawa state, Nigeria: Authorities in Nasarawa State have opened an investigation into the tragic deaths of five children discovered unresponsive in an abandoned car in the Obi Local Government Area.

In a statement released on Sunday, the Public Relations Officer of the Nasarawa State Police Command, SP Ramhan Nansel, confirmed that the victims—aged between six and ten—were found inside a disused vehicle parked in a residential compound in the Agyaragu community.

According to the police, the incident was reported on May 4 by one Ozimna Ogbor, a resident of Agyaragu, who alerted the Agyaragu Divisional Headquarters after discovering the children inside the vehicle. The deceased were identified as Kamsi Onah (8), Somer Onah (6), Unice Udouchi (10), Nmasoma Nnaji (10), and Chioma Nnaji (8).

Following the report, the State Commissioner of Police, CP Shetima Jauro Mohammed, ordered immediate action, and officers were dispatched to the scene. The children were found locked inside the abandoned vehicle and showed signs of severe heat exposure.

SP Nansel stated that, upon the request of the families, the bodies were released for burial due to the condition of the remains. The Commissioner expressed deep sorrow over the loss, recalling a similar incident in Keffi in 2019, which claimed the lives of two children under similar circumstances.

The police have urged parents, guardians, and vehicle owners to exercise heightened vigilance to prevent unsupervised access by children to parked or unused vehicles.

By Taiwo Olatinwo/ May 5,2025