Residents disagree on the cause of death of eight children in Lagos, alleges possible ritual attempt 

Joy Anyim

Residents of Jah-Micheal, a community in Olorunda Local Council Development Area in Badagry, Lagos, are divided over the cause of the death of eight children, found lifeless in a parked Honda Pilot Jeep.

The Nigerian Xpress had earlier reported that seven of the deceased children had been declared missing at about 3 p.m. on Saturday, but were found two hours later, in the vehicle belonging to one Saliat Kassim, a grandmother.

Kassim’s grandchild was also part of the deceased children found dead in the vehicle that had not been in use for almost four years.

The children aged between 12 and three, were identified as Toheeb, Farida, Mohamod, Zainab, Yakubu, Abdulwahab and Aisha.

While some residents agree the children may have suffocated, others say it may have been a ritual attempt.

According to Solomon Osagie, a resident, a search party that was initiated after the children were declared missing by their mothers didn’t find them until almost two hours later, when Kassim, carelessly strolled out of her compound to inform them that the children were in a jeep parked in her compound.

Osagie said he is still in shock over the incident because seven of the children, who were from Niger, had just returned from Arabic school and were playing outside before their suspicious death.

He revealed that Kassim, who lived with her deceased grandchild alone, acts as one who is mentally insane, often locked herself in her compound and didn’t relate much with neighbours.

Calling for a thorough investigation into the death, Osagie said: “ I feel the children may have been killed by someone and hid in the vehicle. The police need to investigate.”

Preliminary findings by the correspondent have it that three of the children were of the same mother, two were siblings and another two were also from the same mother.

Also speaking on the incident, an eyewitness who simply gave his name as Tayo, maintained the children may have suffocated.

He said: “Six of the children had already died before we could recuse them. Two were still breathing and were rushed to the hospital. They however died on the way to the hospital.

“It is a very sad incident and Kassim was almost lynched but for the prompt intervention of the police. Her house was also attacked, and properties were damaged.

” What baffles us is how the children got into the vehicle and could not come out. It is just sad.”

Similarly, one Sussan,  questioned how the children gained entry into the compound. She said the gate to the house is always locked.

A sympathiser who came to pay a condolence visit to the affected families said he was reliably informed that someone brought the key to open the jeep after the trapped children were found lifeless.

Although the sympathiser chose to be anonymous, he maintained the person who brought the key also have questions to answer.

Our Correspondent reports that Kassim has since been detained at the Area K Police Command, and will be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), on Monday, for further investigation.

A visit to the scene of the incident showed a jeep with a shattered windscreen parked in front of a bungalow also with shattered windows.

An Emissary from the Nigerien embassy was also sighted at the scene, though he refused to speak to our Correspondent, it was learnt that the Nigerien government is interested in unravelling the mystery deaths.

Confirming the incident, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Adekunle Ajisebutu, had said CP Hakeem Odumosu has ordered a discreet investigation into the matter.

Ajisebutu said:“ Eight children were said to have mistakenly locked themselves in an abandoned car while playing. Their bodies have been recovered and deposited at the Badagry General Hospital’s morgue for an autopsy so as to determine the actual cause of death.

“ Notwithstanding the report made to the Police, the Commissioner of Police, CP Hakeem Odumosu, has ordered a thorough and speedy investigation into the circumstances surrounding their death. The CP also commiserates with the families of the victims.”