In Okwelle in the Onuimo Local Government Area of Imo State on Friday, three brothers were found dead in a parked vehicle in the village all were between the ages of two and five.
The names of the children were given as, Saviour Nweke, 5; Salvation Nweke 3; and Precious Nweke, 2.
Andrew Enwerem, the state Police Public Relations Officer and a Superintendent of Police, verified the report that the boys, of the same parents, were found dead inside a stationed vehicle in the village.
Enwerem, stated that Chris Ezike, state commissioner of Police, has demanded an investigation into the matter, the bodies of the deceased have been deposited at a nearby mortuary by responding officers..
According to the Police spokesperson, “We received a report of three children of the same parents, Saviour, 5; Salvation, 3; and Precious, 2, missing. Unfortunately, the boys were found dead in a stationed vehicle in the village after a search party was declared.
“Suspicion has it that they entered inside a parked vehicle, locked themselves inside and didn’t know how to unlock it.
“They apparently suffocated under the heat and died afterwards. The corpses have been evacuated to a mortuary in the area by the Police.
“The CP who described the tragedy as ‘pathetic,’ has ordered a thorough investigation into the matter.”
However, a source in the village told The PUNCH that the children went out to play when their parents went out.
“Upon return, their parents started looking for them, but could not ascertain their whereabouts.
“A search party was declared and the Police were also involved. Unfortunately, their bodies were found inside a parked vehicle in the village.
“These were children who looked healthy a while ago. There was no sign that death was lurking. Their parents are currently devastated,” the source said.