Tragedy in Benue: Four Dead, 14 Hospitalised After Consuming Suspected Poisonous Herbal Mixture

At least four persons have died, while 14 others have been hospitalised after allegedly consuming a suspected poisonous herbal mixture in Oju Local Government Area of Benue State.

The victims, residents of the Igede community, reportedly bought the herbal preparations from three men during the Ihiejwo market day in Oju township last weekend.

The incident sparked panic in the community on Monday, November 2, after several residents who had consumed the preparations reportedly began developing similar symptoms.

According to eyewitness accounts, the first victim died on Tuesday morning, while the second died in the early hours of Wednesday. Two additional victims reportedly died on November 4.

Fourteen other persons were said to have been taken to different hospitals for medical attention, with some reportedly in critical condition.

The suspected herbal mixture sellers were identified as Alhaji Sule Mai Magani, Bello Mohamed and Musa Kala.

Following the incident, members of the Igede Youth Council, working with the Oju Local Government Area Township Youth leadership, reportedly apprehended the three men and handed them over to the police.

The suspects were subsequently transferred from the Oju Divisional Police Headquarters to the Benue State Police Command in Makurdi for further investigation.

President of the Igede Youth Council, Comrade John-Frank Ozzidi, called on the Benue State Government to ensure a thorough investigation into the incident and bring anyone found responsible to justice.

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Ozzidi commended members of the community for resisting the temptation to take the law into their own hands, despite the anger generated by the deaths.

He said the decision to hand over the suspects to the police demonstrated the community’s confidence in the ability of security agencies and the government to ensure justice.

The youth leader also appealed to political officeholders from the area to monitor the investigation and ensure that the circumstances surrounding the suspected poisoning were fully established.

Chairman of Oju Local Government Area, Jackson Ominyi, confirmed the incident but said he was initially unable to establish the exact number of fatalities.

He disclosed that the local government had mobilised its security and health officials to manage the situation and ensure that affected residents received medical attention.

Ominyi also said the suspected sellers had been arrested and transferred to the police headquarters in Makurdi.

Meanwhile, the incident has raised fresh concerns about the safety of unregulated herbal preparations sold in local markets and the need for stronger monitoring of products consumed by members of the public.

The authorities are expected to establish the actual substances contained in the preparations and determine whether they were responsible for the deaths and illnesses.

The police investigation is also expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the sale and consumption of the suspected poisonous mixture.