At least four persons have reportedly died, while 14 others are receiving medical attention, following the consumption of a suspected poisonous herbal mixture in Oju Local Government Area of Benue State.
The incident, which reportedly occurred in Oju township, involved residents of the Igede community who allegedly purchased and consumed herbal preparations from three men identified as Magani, Mohamed and Kala during the Ihiejwo market day last weekend.
According to eyewitness accounts, the alarm was raised on November 2, 2026, after several people who consumed the herbal mixture began developing similar symptoms.
The first victim reportedly died on Tuesday morning, while a second person died in the early hours of Wednesday. Two other victims were said to have died subsequently on November 4.
An eyewitness disclosed that 14 other persons were currently receiving treatment in various hospitals, with several reportedly in critical condition.
Following the development, the three men allegedly involved in selling the herbal preparations were apprehended by the Igede Youth Council, in collaboration with the Oju Local Government Area Township Youth leadership.
The suspects were subsequently handed over to the police in Oju and reportedly transferred to the Benue State Police Command for further investigation.
Speaking during the handover, President of the Igede Youth Council, John-Frank Ozzidi, appealed to the Benue State Government to ensure a thorough investigation and that those found culpable were brought to justice.
Ozzidi commended members of the Igede community for resisting the temptation to take the law into their own hands, insisting that the youths had deliberately chosen the path of lawful engagement rather than resorting to jungle justice.
He also called on political officeholders from the area to intervene and closely monitor the investigation to ensure that the deceased victims received justice and the circumstances surrounding the suspected poisoning were fully established.
Confirming the incident, Chairman of Oju Local Government Area, Mr Jackson Ominyi, said the development was known to him but noted that he was yet to ascertain the exact number of fatalities.
Efforts to obtain comments from the Benue State Police Command’s spokesperson, Peter Aondongu, were unsuccessful as he did not respond to enquiries before the report was filed.
Meanwhile, the circumstances surrounding the alleged poisoning remain under investigation, while the condition of the surviving victims and the outcome of the police investigation are being awaited.
(Theromanews.com)
