Metro
Family of Seven Perishes from Generator Fumes in Rivers
Seven members of a family, made up of the husband and his wife as well as five children, were on Thursday discovered dead inside their one-bedroom apartment in Rivers State after allegedly inhaling generator fumes.
The Nathaniels were said to have slept off in the sitting room while watching television, while their generator was still running.
The incident, which happened on Too-Much-Money Street, Big Elele, in the Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State, shocked residents of the area as no member of the family survived the generator fumes.
It was gathered that the generator was kept in the kitchen while the fumes spread into the sitting room where members of the family were.
A source in the area told our correspondent that one of the deceased was Miracle Nathaniel, who was a JSS 1 pupil of one of the schools in the area.
The source, who gave her name simply as Prisca, said, “The street they were living is Too-Much-Money Street, Elele. This (Thursday) morning, people expected them to wake up as usual, but they did not come out.
“When some neighbours decided to check on them, they discovered that they were already dead in the sitting room. Residents suspected that they died as a result of inhaling carbon monoxide from the generator.
“The generator was left in the kitchen of the one-bedroom apartment. It could be that they were watching television and at a point, they slept off in the sitting room without putting off the generator.
“This morning, when neighbours went to check on them because they had not come out, they discovered that all of them had died; no member of the family survived it.”
It was learnt that the corpses of the deceased were later taken to their home town of Ihiagwa, Imo State, for burial.
“Their corpses have been taken to their village in Ihiagwa, Imo State. They were seven in number; the father, the mother and five children. I only know one of them, Miracle Nathaniel, who was about 10 years old,” Prisca added.
Speaking on the incident, the Rivers State Police Public Relations Officer, Nnamdi Omoni, confirmed the death of the family members, even as he described the development as pathetic.
“We are aware of the incident and it is sad. A family of seven made up of the father, the mother and five children were discovered dead this morning. They were suffocated to death by fumes from a generator.
“We have commenced investigation to unravel the circumstances that led to their death.”
The Punch
Mudashiru Obasa has been returned as the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly.
Obasa was reinstated following the resignation of Mojisola Meranda, who stepped down from the role with immediate effect.
He was returned as the speaker during Monday’s plenary session.
In January, Obasa was impeached by members of the Lagos State House of Assembly over multiple allegations of fraud.
Digital solutions provider, Globacom, has partnered with the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy to host the 2025 International Submarine Cable Resilience Summit in Abuja. Organized by the Ministry in partnership with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the International Cable Protection Committee (ICPC), the summit brought together international stakeholders and experts in the telecommunication sector to drive innovation, collaboration and tangible actions. It was co-sponsored by Globacom.
The company, which owns the Glo 1 submarine cable wholly, joined other global stakeholders in the telecommunications and digital landscape in the discussions aimed at bolstering the resilience of cable networks for the benefit of consumers.
Having realized the importance of submarine cables quite early, Globacom deployed Glo 1 from Europe to Africa in 2010. In 2024 when fibre cuts impacted economic, governmental and private activities across West Africa, Glo 1 saved the day for many customers. The cable system was up and running due to its resilience and the constant maintenance strategies deployed by the company. Its capacity was recently upgraded to serve more and more customers and ensure reliable connectivity at all times.
Declaring the two-day summit open, the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, highlighted the significant role submarine cables play in enhancing smooth operation of modern economies.
“Submarine cables form the backbone of global digital connectivity, carrying over 95% of international data traffic, linking continents, and enabling the smooth operation of modern economies. Yet, despite their significance, these infrastructures remain vulnerable to disruptions—whether from natural disasters, geopolitical tensions, accidental damage, or evolving cyber threats”, he stated.
In the light of this, the Minister emphasized the various commitments Nigeria has made under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to strengthen its digital infrastructure and advance policies that support connectivity, innovation, and economic growth.
“We have taken decisive steps as a nation to recognize and protect telecommunications infrastructure as Critical National Infrastructure, aligning with our broader efforts to enhance digital resilience across sectors,” he noted.
In her address, the Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Doreen Bogdan-Martin, emphasized the symbolism of the global undersea network in the realm of innovation and the investment necessary to connect the world meaningfully, highlighting the extent of human reliance on digital infrastructure.
Also speaking, Prof. Sandra Maximiano, Co-Chair, Advisory Board of ITU, addressed the challenges and the need to preventing cable cuts from occurring, emphasizing the importance of bolstering resilience by guaranteeing the availability of technical resources, such as vessels, stockpiles, and spare parts, in areas with lower submarine cable density. Additionally, he underscored the need to align regulatory measures with the demands of resilience.
The event also featured several panel sessions dedicated to the critical dimensions of submarine cable resilience.
The Chief Executive Officer, Adron Homes and Properties, Aare Adetola Emmanuelking, who is also the Golden Grand Patron of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) at the National level, hosted a warm reception in honor of the newly appointed Commissioner of Police, Ogun State Command, CP Olanrewaju Ogunlowo.
The event, according to a statement made available to Pointblank.ng, which was held at his residence, brought together top law enforcement officials, esteemed royal fathers, community leaders, and distinguished dignitaries from various sectors.
The gathering emphasized the importance of community policing and the collaboration between security agencies and the public. Speaking at the event, Aare Adetola Emmanuelking highlighted the crucial role of synergy in ensuring effective policing and fostering a safer society.
“Security is not just the responsibility of law enforcement agencies; it is a collective duty. We must all work together to combat crime, especially new-generation crimes that threaten the peace of our communities,” he stated.
He commended CP Ogunlowo for his professionalism, dedication, and commitment to upholding law and order.
“I have no doubt in the capacity of CP Ogunlowo to make a significant impact in Ogun State. His track record speaks volumes, and I assure him of my full support in ensuring a crime-free society,” Aare Emmanuelking added.
A key highlight of the evening was the presentation of prestigious awards from the Office of the Golden Grand Patron of PCRC National, recognizing outstanding contributions to community development and security. Honorees included distinguished royal fathers, the Chairman of Ilishan Development Association, Aare Wemmy Osude, the PCRC Ogun State Chairman, Ven. Dr. Samson Kunle Popoola JP, the PCRC National Chairman, Alh. Mogaji Olaniyan Ibraheem, and the Ogun State Commissioner of Police, CP Lanre Ogunlowo, PhD.
CP Lanre Ogunlowo, PhD, in his remarks, expressed profound gratitude for the warm reception and pledged to strengthen community-driven policing strategies.
“Community engagement is the bedrock of effective policing. My administration will prioritize collaboration with all stakeholders to ensure the safety and security of lives and property across Ogun State,” he assured.
The event served as a true demonstration of the strong partnership between law enforcement and community leaders in promoting peace, security, and development in Ogun State.
