On Sunday, police in Lagos verified the deaths of eight children who were playing after they accidentally trapped themselves in an abandoned car at Adelayo Str., Agunlayo, Jah Micheal, near Magbon in Badagry.
In a statement, CSP Adekunle Ajisebutu, spokesman for the Lagos Police Command, stated the incident happened on Saturday.
Their bodies had been recovered and lodged at the Badagry General Hospital’s morgue for an examination to ascertain the exact cause of death, according to Ajisebutu.
“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,” he said.
The eight children were found dead in a vehicle parked in front of the owner’s house, according to a correspondent with the Nigerian News Agency, NAN.
The abandoned car, according to Mr Suru Avoseh, Commissioner, Lagos State Civil Service Commission, belonged to a retired LASU employee who was now late.
According to him, one of the children, who is the owner’s grandchild, forced the car open, while the other seven are Nigerians who live in the neighbourhood.
“The other seven kids are children of Bureau De Change Operators living in the community.
“The children forced the door of vehicle open, entered and closed the door.
“No ventilation and nobody knew something was wrong and they suffocated and died.
“It wasn’t a kidnapping incident or any foul play by anyone. It is unfortunate,” he said.
The children were brought to the hospital dead, according to Dr Tunde Bakare, the Medical Director of Badagry General Hospital.
“While we told them to leave them so that we could carry out autopsy one Moslem cleric that followed them disagreed with our staff and said burial should not exceed Saturday.
“Unfortunately, the Police that brought the corpse supported the cleric so we had to release the corpses to them.
