MAKURDI, Nigeria – At least three people have reportedly died, and 14 others hospitalised after consuming herbal mixtures suspected to have caused illness in the Igede community of Oju Local Government Area, Benue State.
Four of those receiving treatment at the General Hospital in Oju were reportedly in critical condition as of Thursday. The incident allegedly followed the sale of the herbal preparations by three men during the Ihiejwo market day in Oju Township last weekend.
An eyewitness, identified only as Ogbu, said several residents developed similar symptoms after consuming the mixtures. He said the first victim died on Tuesday morning, followed by two others on Wednesday and Thursday. Ogbu added that 14 other people who consumed the preparations were receiving treatment at the General Hospital in Oju, with four in critical condition.
The Chairman of Oju Local Government Area, Jackson Ominyi, confirmed the incident when contacted on Friday, although he said he was yet to establish the exact number of deaths. “As of yesterday (Thursday), the number so far is three,” he said, adding that the other affected residents were receiving treatment at the General Hospital in Oju.
Ominyi also said the suspected sellers had been arrested and taken to the Benue State Police Command headquarters in Makurdi.
He assured residents that the council was making efforts to ensure that those receiving treatment were properly cared for. However, the police had not officially confirmed the incident as of the time of filing this report. Efforts to reach the state police spokesperson, DSP Peter Aondongu, were unsuccessful. The cause of the reported illnesses and deaths has also not been established. It remains unclear whether the mixtures contained toxic substances or whether laboratory tests have been conducted on samples.
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