Wife battles for life as husband dies from generator fume poisoning
A devastating tragedy struck the Shogoye area of Owode-Egba in Ogun State when a man, identified as Nwachukwu Ikechukwu, died after inhaling generator fumes, while his wife, Oyin Falodun, is currently fighting for her life.
The Ogun State Police Command confirmed the heartbreaking incident, which occurred on the night of Thursday, September 19, 2024. According to reports, the couple had turned on their generator inside their sitting room at around 10:00 p.m., unaware of the impending disaster.
The tragedy was discovered when a neighbour, Oladayo Olasubomi, came by their home to drop off a N1000 daily contribution meant for Oyin. Upon arrival, Olasubomi found both Ikechukwu and his wife lying unconscious on the floor. Alarmed by the sight, he immediately raised the alarm, calling on other residents and the community chairman, Showunmi Sunday, who reported the incident to the Owode-Egba police division.
In a statement released on Saturday, the spokesperson for the Ogun State Police Command, SP Omolola Odutola, said: “Police officers were swiftly dispatched to the scene and upon inspection, there were no visible signs of violence on the deceased. It became clear that the couple had been victims of carbon monoxide poisoning from the generator fumes.”
While Ikechukwu was pronounced dead at the scene, Oyin Falodun was rushed to Ore Ofe Hospital, where she later regained consciousness.
Recalling the events of that tragic night, Oyin explained to the police:
“Around 10 p.m., I asked my husband if I should turn off the generator, but he told me to leave it on until we both fell asleep. We didn’t realize that the fumes were slowly filling the room. The generator must have run out of fuel after wreaking havoc.”
According to Oyin, she later found both of them on the floor after the generator had turned off. In her account, she described how her late husband struggled to get out of bed but collapsed, and the next thing she remembered was waking up in the hospital.
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Ikechukwu’s body has been deposited at the General Hospital in Owode-Egba, where an autopsy will be conducted. Meanwhile, Oyin is reportedly recovering at the hospital, though she remains emotionally devastated by the loss of her husband.
The incident has sparked renewed calls for proper generator use and safety practices. Experts warn against using generators indoors due to the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. SP Odutola also cautioned residents:
“We urge members of the public to never operate generators indoors or in enclosed spaces. The risks of carbon monoxide poisoning are very real and deadly, as this incident painfully demonstrates.”
This unfortunate event adds to the growing number of deaths caused by generator fumes in Nigeria, highlighting the need for increased public awareness and strict adherence to safety guidelines.
