The Chairman of Eleme Local Government Area, Chief Obarilomate Ollor, has expressed shock and deep sorrow over the death of six members of the Theophilus Obele family in Ogale, Eleme LGA of Rivers State.
Chief Ollor, who visited the bereaved family on Monday, urged relatives and residents of the community to remain calm as investigations into the cause of the deaths continue.
Speaking to journalists after the visit, the council chairman said that although the exact cause of death was yet to be established, residents must exercise extreme caution in the use of power generators in their homes, warning that generator fumes are highly toxic and potentially deadly when used in enclosed or poorly ventilated spaces.
He disclosed that the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHED) had assured the council that normal power supply to the area would be restored once its current capacity challenges—said to have persisted over the last two months—were resolved.
Chief Ollor added that the council would also engage PHED on its concerns over unpaid electricity bills by residents, with a view to finding solutions once power supply stabilises.
He cautioned against speculation and rumours, urging the public to await the outcome of the autopsy report before drawing conclusions, especially amid insinuations of possible foul play surrounding the incident.
The tragic incident occurred on Sunday when neighbours, alarmed that the family had not emerged from their home as usual, forced the door open and discovered the six lifeless bodies in one of the rooms, throwing the entire Ogale community into mourning.
