Family of three found dead in Jigawa

THREE members of a family in Sagu Quarters of Buji Local Council in Jigawa State have been found dead in their room. 

The victims were a 58-year-old Malam Musa Danbaba and his 50-year-old wife, Asabe, together with their nine-year old son. They were found dead in a locked up house in the early hours of Saturday when the neighbours observed that the house was unusually locked from the inside.

According to an eye-witness, Alhaji Wakili, who is also the ward head of the area, it was unusual for the deceased not to have opened his gate at that hour, even as some testified that they had not seen him in the early morning prayers, which he hardly missed.

According to Wakili, the neighbours were curious to ascertain why the gate was not opened despite the noise from the hard knocking, a situation that prompted them to hack down the door only to find the family of three dead in their sleep. 

He said it was shocking for the residents. He described Malam Musa as an excellent neighbour who had been active in the community affairs. 

The Public Relations Officer of the Jigawa State Police Command, Mallam Abdu Jinjiri, who confirmed the incident, told The Guardian that from its investigations, the three members of the family might have died in their sleep as a result of suffocation.   

He explained that the family had before going to bed, brought in some hot charcoal to warm the room as a result of the cold while all the windows and doors were closed.