Four die after consuming herbal mixture in Benue

At least four persons have allegedly died after consuming a suspected poisonous herbal mixture sold by three traders in Oju Local Government Area of Benue State, with several others reportedly hospitalised in critical condition.

The latest casualty was said to have occurred on Thursday, following the arrival in Oju of the remains of a third victim, who reportedly died while receiving treatment at a hospital in Makurdi.

The incident, which reportedly began on Monday, November 2, has sparked concern in the community, as health officials intensify efforts to attend to affected residents.

Witnesses said the victims developed similar symptoms after purchasing and consuming the herbal mixture from three male traders identified as Alhaji Sule Mai Magani, Bello Mohamed and Musa Kala during the Ihiejwo market day.

As of Friday, several victims were reportedly receiving treatment at different hospitals, with some said to be in critical condition.

The witnesses also claimed that medical experts believed to be from the World Health Organisation had arrived in the area to support the response to the incident.

According to sources, the three traders were apprehended by the leadership of the Igede Youth Council, in collaboration with the Oju Township Youth leadership, before being handed over to the police.

The suspects were subsequently transferred to the Benue State Police Command in Makurdi for investigation.

The Chairman of Oju Local Government Area, Jackson Ominyi, said he was yet to ascertain the exact number of casualties but confirmed that three persons had died as of Wednesday.

Ominyi said the council had mobilised its security and health officials to manage the situation, adding that victims were receiving treatment at the General Hospital, Oju, while the local government’s health department was providing necessary support.

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“I have tried to calm the situation down in my local government. The person selling the herbs has been arrested and sent to Makurdi three days back,” he said.

The chairman said he had directed relevant officials to continue providing care for the victims while efforts were ongoing to establish the full extent of the incident.

Meanwhile, the President of the Igede Youth Council, Comrade Idoko John-Frank Ozzidi, had called on the Benue State Government to conduct a thorough investigation and ensure that those responsible were brought to justice.

Ozzidi said the youths had deliberately refrained from taking the law into their hands by handing the suspects over to the police.

He also urged political officeholders from the area to ensure that the investigation was pursued to its conclusion and that survivors received adequate medical attention.

The Police Public Relations Officer of the Benue State Command, DSP Peter Aondongu, could not be reached by telephone as of the time of filing this report.