Three Benue hawkers nabbed as herbal mixture kills three

The Benue State Police Command has arrested three suspected herbal mixture hawkers following the deaths of three people who reportedly consumed their preparations in Igede community, Oju Local Government Area of the state.

The victims were said to have bought and consumed the herbal mixtures sold by the hawkers during Ihiejwo market day in the community last weekend.

Speaking with Saturday PUNCH on Friday, the Police Public Relations Officer, Peter Aondongu, confirmed the incident, saying the suspects had been taken to the command headquarters in Makurdi for further investigation.

He said the police had commenced an investigation into the incident but gave the death toll as two, with four other people hospitalised.

Yes, I can confirm the incident, and some suspects were arrested and brought to the state command headquarters for investigation, and I can tell you that investigation has commenced.

“Two people died and four people were hospitalised,” Aondongu said.

However, an eyewitness, who identified himself simply as Ogbu, said three people had died after consuming the herbal preparations, while 14 others were receiving treatment at the General Hospital in Oju.

He alleged that the hawkers, identified as Alhaji Sule Magani, Bello Mohamed and Musa Kala, sold herbal mixtures suspected to contain poisonous substances to residents during the market day.

Ogbu said panic broke out in the community on Monday after several residents who had bought and consumed the preparations began developing similar symptoms.

He said the first victim died on Tuesday morning, the second in the early hours of Wednesday, while the third died on Thursday.

The eyewitness added that four of the 14 people receiving treatment were in critical condition.

When contacted on Friday, the Chairman of Oju Local Government Area, Jackson Ominyi, confirmed the incident and said the suspected hawkers had been arrested and taken to the police headquarters in Makurdi.

He said, “Yes, but up till now, I have not gotten the exact number of the dead ones yet, but the number of people so far is three as at yesterday (Thursday).

“Several others are currently receiving treatment at the General Hospital in Oju and the persons selling the herbs have been arrested and sent to Makurdi.”

Ominyi said the council was doing everything possible to take care of the victims receiving treatment at the hospital.