No fewer than 11 persons have reportedly died of food poisoning in Ikobi community, Apa Local Government Area of Benue State.
It was learnt that the victims lost their lives after consuming food that was contaminated with harmful chemical.
According to the source in area, those who died from last Monday in the tragedy in a space of one week included Adi Ale, Ochefije Ojo, Maria Ojo, Aipu Ochefije and Aboyi Ochefije.
Others are Mary Ochoyoda and Ehi Abu, Blessing Abu, Peace Ochoyoda, Ojochono Daniel and Favour Edoh.
The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, disclosed that while six of the victims died in one day, five others died a few days after.
He disclosed that one of the bereaved family members, Ochoyoda Abu, lost his wife (Mary), two sisters (Ehi and Blessing) and a daughter (Peace) in the unfortunate incident.
The Benue State Police Public Relations Officer, Superintendent Catherine Anene, confirmed the tragedy.
Anene explained that “about three months ago there was a case of someone who died of food poisoning at a particular house in the Ikobi community.
“Few months after the incident, precisely on the 14 of this month (November) a woman who is possibly a family member of the deceased went to the house of the deceased to clean up the house.
“She found food stuff there which she brought to her house to cook.
“After cooking the food, she served some people and after eating the food, 12 people suffered illness and were taken to hospital.
“But seven of them died and the other five, who were rushed to the hospital, survived. Investigation is still ongoing.”
