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From Scholastica Hir Makurdi
The Police in Benue State have confirmed the death of three persons while four others have been hospitalized after consuming herbal mixture sold in Oju Township, Oju Local Government Area of Benue State.
Our correspondent gathered that the incident, which started last weekend at Igede community during Ihiejwo market day, sent shivers round the communities as the victims began to die one after the other.
A local from the area who identified himself simply as Ogbu, told newsmen in Makurdi that contrary to the figures given by the police, no fewer than 14 other persons had been hospitalised with four of them in critical condition.
The local said: “Last weekend, three men identified as Alhaji Sule Mai Magani, Bello Mohamed and Musa Kala, allegedly sold herbal mixtures suspected to contain poisonous substances to residents of the Igede community during Ihiejwo market day across Oju Township.
“The situation began to raise alarm on Monday, November 2, 2026, when several residents who had purchased and consumed the herbal preparations started developing signs of ailment.
“While the first victim died on Tuesday morning, the second died in the early hours of Wednesday, November 4, 2026 while the third victim died on Thursday.
“Three suspects were apprehended by the leadership of the Igede Youth Council, in collaboration with the Oju Local Government Area Township Youth leadership, and handed over to the police in Oju,” the source added.
The Chairman of Oju LGA, Mr Jackson Ominyi, has confirmed the incident.
Ominyi, who spoke to newsmen on phone, said the hawkers had been arrested and taken to Police command headquarters in Makurdi for investigation.
The chairman 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.”
Ominyi said that the council was doing everything possible to take care of the victims admitted to the hospital.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Benue State Police Command, DSP Peter Aondongu also confirmed the incident.
Aondongu said: “Yes, that’s true. Some people took the herbal mixture; they were taken to the hospital. Two of them have lost their loves and four are in the hospital.”
