Couple Suffers Tragic Generator Fume Poisoning in Ogun State

A tragic incident in Ogun State has left one man dead and his wife hospitalized after they inhaled fumes from a generator they had placed inside their home. The Ogun State Police Command confirmed the unfortunate event, which occurred at the couple’s residence in the Shogoye area of Owode-Egba, located in the Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area of the state.

According to reports, Nwachukwu Ikechukwu and his wife, Oyin Falodun, had turned on their generator around 10 p.m. on Thursday night to power their fans. Unfortunately, they left the generator running inside their sitting room. By the time their neighbor, Oladayo Olasubomi, arrived at the house the next morning to deliver a daily N1,000 contribution for Oyin, he found the couple unconscious.

Olasubomi immediately raised an alarm, which brought neighbors, including the Chairman of the community, Showunmi Sunday, rushing to the scene. They promptly notified the Owode-Egba division of the Ogun State Police Command about the situation.

The police spokesperson, SP Omolola Odutola, confirmed the details in a statement shared with journalists on Saturday. Odutola revealed that when police officers arrived at the scene, there were no signs of violence on the couple, ruling out any foul play. The police believe that inhaling the dangerous fumes from the generator caused the tragedy.

Sadly, Nwachukwu Ikechukwu was declared dead, while his wife Oyin was rushed to the hospital in critical condition. Fortunately, she later regained consciousness and was able to explain what had happened.

In her statement, Oyin explained, “Around 10 p.m. on September 19, 2024, I asked my husband if I should turn off the generator, but he told me to leave it on until we fell asleep.” She further recounted how she realized the generator had likely poisoned them before it ran out of fuel and shut off. Oyin also recalled the harrowing moment when both she and her husband fell off the bed, with Ikechukwu struggling to get up before collapsing.

Oyin Falodun is currently receiving treatment at Ore Ofe Hospital in Owode-Egba, while her husband’s body has been moved to the General Hospital in the same area for an autopsy.

This heartbreaking incident serves as a reminder of the dangers of using generators indoors, particularly in enclosed spaces, without proper ventilation. Police authorities in Ogun State continue to warn residents about the risks of carbon monoxide poisoning from generators and urge everyone to take necessary precautions to prevent similar tragedies.

The Ogun State Police Command, along with community leaders, have expressed their condolences to the family and are investigating further to ensure there are no additional safety concerns for residents.