Three remedy sellers arrested after fatal poisoning in Nigeria
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Punch
Three sellers of traditional preparations have been arrested after people who consumed their remedies died in the Igede community in Benue State. Nigerian police report two deaths and four hospitalisations, while a witness claims three people died and 14 received treatment, reports Punch.
Police in Benue State have arrested three suspected sellers of traditional medicinal preparations following poisoning incidents in the Igede community, in the Oju Local Government Area, reports Punch. Benue police spokesperson Peter Aondongu confirmed on Friday that the suspects had been taken to police headquarters in Makurdi and that an investigation had been opened.
Peter Aondongu reported two deaths and four people hospitalised. A witness identified as Ogbu, for his part, claims that three people died after consuming preparations sold at the Ihiejwo market the previous weekend and that 14 others were receiving treatment at Oju General Hospital. He claims that the three sellers, Alhaji Sule Magani, Bello Mohamed and Musa Kala, sold mixtures suspected of containing toxic substances.
According to Ogbu, the first symptoms appeared on Monday, the first death occurred on Tuesday morning, the second on Wednesday and the third on Thursday. Oju area chairman Jackson Ominyi confirmed the arrests and reported three deaths on Thursday, while indicating that several people were receiving treatment at Oju General Hospital.
