How wall gecko killed family of 6 in Ogun
A family of six (6) was discovered dead in the early hours of Friday from suspected food poisoning after a wall gecko had allegedly walked on their food.
The victims were identified as Mr Adeleke John Samuel, 55, a chartered accountant; his wife, Mrs Pamela Adeleke, 50, two children and two other relatives.
A source who spoke to The Eagle said the sad event was uncovered when their gateman, Mr Lawal Ojo, suspected the unusual quietness in the house at full break of day.
He alerted the neighbours who broke into the house only to discover the bodies of the victims in different rooms.
They were all in the sleeping posture, the source said, indicating that they probably passed on in their sleep.
According to an eyewitness, Mrs Ifenatuora Ijeoma, the poison might have been ingested in the course of the family’s dinner the night before.
She reiterated that on close inspection of the kitchen utensils, a dead wall gecko was discovered inside a pot of soup by one of the neighbours, so they believed the family kicked the bucket from the poisonous substance of the wall gecko.
Wall gecko, scientifically known as Hemidactylus frenatus, is a small slippery, nocturnal house lizard with soft skin. It is native to South East Asia but now found across the world.
Geckos measure up to 15 cm in length, and is usually grey or light brown to beige in colour.
It is usually associated with lethal food poisoning.
According to a medical practitioner who simply identified himself as Dr Omotosho, a biologist, “Geckos are ordinarily harmless. However, the lizard carries lots of bacteria in the mouth which can cause serious harm when ingested by humans.”
According to reports, the police had waded into the matter, even as the source of death remained speculated.
