Keypoints

• Five children died from suspected suffocation in Nasarawa.

• Abandoned vehicle tragedy prompts police investigation.

• Nasarawa community mourns devastating child loss.

The Nasarawa State Police Command has opened an investigation into the shocking death of five children who were found unresponsive inside an abandoned vehicle in Agyaragu, Obi Local Government Area.

The victims—Kamsi Onah (8), Somer Onah (6), Eunice Udouchi (10), Nmasoma Nnaji (10), and Chioma Nnaji (8)—were discovered on May 4, 2025, in a vehicle parked at the compound of a resident identified as Mr. Abu Agyeme.

The incident was reported at the Agyaragu Divisional Headquarters by a community member, Mr. Ozimna Ogbor.

Police said they responded immediately and confirmed the children had likely died from suffocation after being locked inside the unused car.

Victims suffered suspected suffocation in extreme heat conditions

Upon arriving at the scene, officers evacuated the children to Aro Hospital in Agyaragu, where doctors confirmed all five were dead.

Police spokesman Ramhan Nansel said the children’s deaths are suspected to have been caused by suffocation due to being trapped in the enclosed vehicle under high temperatures.

“The Commissioner of Police, CP Shetima Jauro Mohammed, has ordered a thorough investigation,” Nansel said.

He added that the commissioner expressed deep condolences to the families of the deceased, describing the event as “heartbreaking and deeply distressing.”

Community recalls similar 2019 incident in Keffi

This tragedy is not the first of its kind in Nasarawa. In August 2019, two children also died in a similar manner after being locked in an abandoned vehicle in Keffi.

The latest Nasarawa children vehicle tragedy has once again raised concerns about child safety, especially in hot and poorly supervised environments.

The police noted that due to severe heat burns on the children’s bodies, their remains were released to their families upon request for immediate burial.

Authorities are calling on residents to properly secure unused vehicles and educate children about the dangers of confined spaces.