Tragedy struck on Tuesday at Elegbaata village, Oke Suna, Apomu, in the Isokan Local Government Area of Osun State, after seven people — a man, his wife and five children — were found dead in their apartment.

It was learnt that one other member of the family, who also slept in the house, was rescued alive and taken to a hospital in Apomu, where he was receiving treatment.

A resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said while eight people slept in the house on Monday, seven were found dead the following morning.

The resident explained that people in the area became suspicious when several hours after daybreak, the door of the house remained shut.

“But even at that, we did not immediately realise those that slept in the house had died until some residents summoned courage and forced the door open.

“What we saw was scary. All of them that slept in the house, except one, had died; husband, wife, and five children all dead. But one person that also slept in the house was rescued alive and taken to a hospital. Some people that arrived at the scene first said they inhaled odour of a chemical, but I can’t say specifically what killed them.

“The house where the incident happened belonged to the wife. The man that was found dead was married to the woman, but those children belonged to another man. The man had his own house also in Apomu. He was a policeman and was known as Saheed,” the source added.

Osun State Police Public Relations Officer, Yemisi Opalola, confirmed the incident.

She said, “Operatives have removed the deceased for autopsies. They were taken to OAU Teaching Hospital, Ile-Ife. But investigation has commenced, even though we have not made any arrest.

“The person that was rescued alive is receiving treatment at a private hospital in Apomu; he is responding to treatment.”

Punch