10 members of a single family were reported dead after taking a concoction of local herbs purportedly to cure an ailment that afflicted the mother of the house and to prevent other members of the family from being infected. The family believed the woman was afflicted with foot infection.
The sad incident occurred at Biogberu, a settlement near Gwanara in Baruten Local Government area of Kwara State.
A report from the Kwara State Command of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC whose officers visited the scene says the victims died within 24 hours, though at different time. Four of the victims whose cases were said to be critical were taken to Taberu Hospital, a boundary town of the Republic of Benin on Monday, and were confirmed dead the same day.
“The remaining six victims, mostly children, ranging from five to eight years of age , a man and a woman of 40 and 37 years of age that were referred to BUKARI KAWO MEMORIAL HOSPITAL, GWANARA equally died this morning 22nd of June, 2021 at about 0600hours” The report says. The Command gave the names of the victims as: Ibou (father); Bake (mother); Juli ( male); Sidiq (male); Banna ( female)Yon (female); Banna(female); Zainab (female); Denbo (female) and Junbo (male).
The account of the Nigeria Police is also not different. A release by the Kwara State Police Command signed by the spokesperson, Okasanmi Ajayi says “On 22/6/2021 at about 0700hrs, one Ibrahim Bonnie 'm' aged 22years of Fulani camp Biogberu, via Gwanara, reported at the police station that on 18/6/2021, one Okosi Musa 'm' age 35years and one Worugura Junlin 'm' an adult, came to his mother by name Pennia Bonni 'f' aged 40years of same Fulani camp who was having a foot infection, with a local herbal mixture purported to be the cure for her ailment.
“She was also told to ensure that all her family members take out of the mixture to prevent the spread of the disease to other family members.
“After taking the local herbal mixture, the family members started dieing one after the other, at the last count, 10 members including the infected legged mother died.
Okasanmi said the commissioner of police, CP Mohammed Lawal Bagega has ordered a discreet investigation into the incident. He confirmed that the two suspects are already helping the police in their investigation.
He also said that the CP has advised members of the public to seek medical solution in recognized medical homes spread across the length and breadth of the state to avoid ugly incidents of this nature. Suspects will have their day in court at the conclusion of investigation.
Comments powered by CComment