Emekuku, Owerri North Local Government Area of Imo State, was buried
in one long grave over the weekend.
His Grace, Dr. Anthony J.V. Obinna, Catholic Archbishop of Owerri
Ecclesiastical Province while speaking during a mass organized for the
deceased ones described the burial of seven people from the same
family as horrible.
The Catholic Archbishop said; "Though the gathering is a sad one, it
is out of love for the deceased persons and for the relatives that we
are here. We must remind ourselves of the reality of death."
He said the false rumour that trailed the death of the Emekuku Nine
showed unnecessary fear of death and lack of faith.
"Christians must be wise, as well as realize that some opportunistic
persons in society cash in on moments of temptation and tension to get
what they want.
"There are lots of 419 spiritual people, who use the opportunity of
poor faith to do business, thus creating problems in families," Obinna
said.
Reports say the autopsy report released by the State Commissioner of
Health, Dr. Joe Obi-Njoku, had confirmed that the nine persons died
from suffocation after inhaling carbon monoxide from a generating set.
The state government has therefore issued clear directives on the use
of electric generating sets, pointing out that families should build
generator houses away from living rooms to avoid a repeat of the ugly
incident.
Nigerians reacting to the issue have blamed it on government for the
government's inability to provide steady power supply.
"There have been too many deaths as a result of inhalation of Carbon
monoxide and the government is advising us to build generator houses
far from our house? Why can't they ensure adequate power supply so
that we don't have to use generators?" Mr Badmus said.
The family of nine were discovered dead on Sunday July 8, 2012 in
Umuakuru village in Emekuku, Owerri North Local Government Area of Imo
State after they had buried their 98-year-old mother, Mrs Felicia
Njoku on Saturday, July 7 in their country home.
The deceased include Mr. Pascal Njoku, his wife Juliana and their five
children, Ebere (first daughter), Ifunanya (second daughter), Chibueze
(son) Jackline (third daughter) and Uchechi (last daughter).
Others, who also died along with the Njokus, were Mr. Njoku's sister,
Christina Uba (nee Njoku) and her friend Catherine who accompanied her
to the burial.