Seven confirmed dead after consuming poisonous cassava

By Muhammad Ibrahim, Sokoto

Seven people from the same family in Runjin Barmo village of Kajiji District in Shagari local government area of Sokoto State have died as a result of consuming cassava delicacy suspected to be contaminated.

Narrating the incident to the Commissioner for Health Hajiya Asabe Balarabe, who led a powerful delegation to the area, the village head of the area, Malam Muhammadu Modi, Magajin Runjin Barmo, said the victims consumed the cassava meal during their dinner.

According to him, the victims comprised the father, Malam Abubakar, his wife, A’ishatu Abubakar and their 5 children.

The village head said the incident happened Wednesday 7th August and the cause of the death is actually yet to be confirmed.

He said this was because the suspected cassava has been used by about four houses in the village and no case of illness was recorded in those houses.

Malam Modi Magaji on behalf of people of the area, thanked the state governor Dr Ahmed Aliyu for showing his concern to them in that direction.

Speaking, the state Commissioner for Health Hajiya Asabe Balarabe said they were in the village to assess the cause of the incident for onward communication to the state government for necessary action.

The Commissioner said the ministry would take samples from one teenager who happened to be alive after eating the suspected cassava meal.

The Information Officer of the Ministry Nura Bello Maikwanci who passed the news to our correspondent said the Commissioner was accompanied on the visit by Executive Director State Hospital Services Management Board Dr Bello Abubakar Attahiru, some Directors and other staff of the ministry.

See also  Use festive season to pray for Nigeria's peaceful coexistence, Gov. Aliyu urges Christians

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *