“I Will Wake From This Dream”: Ogale Mother’s Endless Tears After Family of Six Dies in Their Sleep

By Nwafor Oji Awala

The first sound that broke the calm of Ogale that Sunday morning was the raw, trembling cry of a mother who refused to believe that life could be this cruel.

Grace Nnena Obele stood at the doorway of her son’s house, calling his name over and over again: "Theophilus, my first son" hoping that the silence before her was only a bad dream. But the silence did not answer. Instead, it swallowed her voice, her strength, and her hope. Since that moment, her tears have flowed without restraint, her dirge echoing through Aluebo community, a sorrow too heavy for words. A day after the tragedy, she fainted several times and was rushed to a nearby clinic. Even now, she repeats the same sentence to anyone who listens: “I will wake up from this bad dream.” But this is no dream.

Theophilus Obele 

At about 10am last Sunday in Ogale, Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State, an entire family: father, mother, three children, and a young in-law, was discovered dead in their home. They had gone to bed the previous night, full of plans for the next day. None of them woke up.

The grim discovery was made by Godwin Ogosu, the younger brother of the late Theophilus Obele. As morning advanced, the usual signs of life in the neighbourhood were absent. Doors remained shut. No footsteps. No greetings. Time for Sunday worship had passed, yet the Theophilus Obele household remained eerily quiet.

Worried, Godwin called out repeatedly. There was no response. Fear tightening his chest, he forced open a front window and entered the house. Inside, he was met with a sight that would change his life forever: the lifeless bodies of his brother, his brother’s wife, their three children, and their in-law, found in different parts of the house.

Theophilus Obele was 48 years old, a respected elder of Aluebo community and a native of Ogale. He was a man rooted in hope and hard work. The house where he died was one he personally laid its foundation in 2025. Only days before his death, he had completed the ceiling work, proud that his labour was finally taking shape. He had come home with his family for the Christmas holidays and was preparing to return to Port Harcourt that same Sunday afternoon.

Among the dead was Abel Nwaka, Theophilus’s in-law and his wife’s younger brother. In keeping with Eleme tradition, Abel had been entrusted to his sister at marriage: a young life meant to be nurtured, now lost in the same cruel silence.

Theophilus Obele & wife

As grief spread across Ogale and Eleme at large, questions followed closely behind. Community members spoke in hushed tones, fear mixing with sorrow. On social media, concerned voices called for clarity and responsibility.

In a Facebook post that resonated widely, Samuel Onungwe reminded authorities of their duty: that the essence of government is the protection of life and property. He urged the Eleme Local Government Authority to sponsor a thorough investigation, engaging reputable experts to uncover both the immediate and underlying causes of the deaths. According to him, identifying the cause is crucial not only to protect the living but also to restore confidence within the community.

Responding to public concern, the Executive Chairman of Eleme Local Government Area, Chief Hon. Obarilomate Ollor, paid a condolence visit to the Obele family. Describing the incident as painful and shocking, he expressed the council’s deep sympathy and ordered a full investigation in collaboration with the Ministry of Health.

Chief Ollor disclosed that medical examinations and autopsy would be conducted to determine the exact cause of death and to rule out any form of human error. He said the investigation would address public fears, ensure clarity, and guide appropriate action where necessary. He also cautioned residents against practices that could pose health risks, such as operating generator sets close to living areas or keeping certain plants indoors.

Above all, he assured the people of Eleme that his administration remains committed to safeguarding lives and handling public safety issues with seriousness, transparency, and urgency.

Yet beyond official statements and investigations, one truth remains heavy in Ogale: a mother has lost her first son, his wife, her grandchildren, and a young boy entrusted to their care, all in one night.

Theophilus Obele 

As Grace Nnena Obele weeps, Ogale weeps with her. And as the community waits for answers, it clings to one shared prayer, that such a tragedy never finds its way into another home.

Nwafor Oji Awala 

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