• All seen seated together in living room

Five members of a single family have been found dead inside their home in Umuimo Village, Osisioma Local Government Area of Abia State.

Neighbours reportedly made the discovery after forcing their way into the apartment following days of concern over the family’s absence.

Worried community members broke into the residence on Monday, July 22, 2026, after the family had not been seen since Saturday, July 19.

The bodies were already in an advanced state of decomposition when neighbours entered the house.

Those who arrived early at the scene reported that the five bodies were found in the sitting room, positioned in a manner that suggested the family may have been eating when they died.

Partly consumed food, including cooked chicken and groundnuts that had not been finished, was found in the same room.

This led to early speculation that the family may have died from food poisoning or generator fumes, though no official cause of death has been established.

Following local tradition, community members performed customary rites before the bodies were removed and taken to a morgue.

Police confirm incident

The Abia State Police Command confirmed the death of the five members of the same family, which has
thrown the Umuimo community into mourning

Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer, Abia State Command, DSP Maureen Chinaka, said the matter was reported by the deceased’s brother after he was unable to reach one of the victims.

She said police officers accompanied the complainant to the family’s residence at Umuimo Village, Osisioma Ngwa.

According to Chinaka, “Upon arrival, repeated knocks yielded no response. They subsequently forced entry into the house, where they discovered the lifeless and decomposing bodies of their brother and his family.

“The crime scene has been visited. A preliminary visual inspection of the bodies was conducted, and photographs taken. The corpses have been deposited at the morgue for preservation and autopsy. Investigation is ongoing.”

The police said investigations are ongoing to determine the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

No fewer than 40 residents from 11 communities in the Mayanchi District of Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State have been abducted by armed bandits.

It was gathered that the attackers are loyalists of a notorious bandit kingpin, Kachalla Sa’idu, with most of the abducted victims reportedly women and children.

Sources said Kachalla Sa’idu has long terrorised communities in Maru, Maradun and Talata Mafara local government areas of the state.

A visit to some of the affected communities revealed scores of women and children hurriedly packing their belongings and fleeing for fear of further attacks and abductions.

A resident, Alhaji Lauwali Abdullahi, said that about a week ago, gunmen loyal to Kachalla Sa’idu invaded Garagi village in an attempt to abduct residents.

According to him, villagers resisted the attack, killing one of the bandits and seizing his rifle.

He said the bandit leader subsequently threatened to attack all neighbouring communities up to Mayanchi town unless the rifle was returned.

Another source disclosed that Kachalla Sa’idu sent a message to community leaders threatening to kill all those currently being held captive if his seized rifle was not returned or replaced with another firearm.

Chairman of Maru Local Government Area, Hon. Bello Jabaka, confirmed the incident, saying the council was aware of the security situation in the Mayanchi District.

He said the local government, in collaboration with security agencies, was taking steps to restore peace and address the worsening insecurity in the area.

Jabaka acknowledged that bandits had continued to terrorise communities across the local government, stressing that urgent measures were needed to tackle the menace.

Mayanchi District is a strategic area linking Sokoto State with the Niger Republic, as well as Zuru Local Government Area of Kebbi State and parts of Niger State. (The Guardian)