At least three people have died and 14 others hospitalised after allegedly consuming suspected poisonous herbal mixtures in the Igede community of Oju Local Government Area of Benue State.
Four of the victims receiving treatment at the General Hospital, Oju, are reportedly in critical condition.
The incident occurred after three men allegedly sold the herbal preparations to residents during the Ihiejwo market day in Oju town last weekend.
An eyewitness, identified as Ogbu, said panic broke out on Monday, November 2, after several residents who consumed the mixtures began experiencing similar symptoms.
He identified the suspected sellers as Alhaji Sule Mai Magani, Bello Mohamed and Musa Kala.
According to him, the first victim died on Tuesday morning, the second early Wednesday, while the third died on Thursday.
Ogbu said 14 other people were receiving treatment at the General Hospital, Oju, with four in critical condition.
The Chairman of Oju Local Government Area, Jackson Ominyi, confirmed the incident on Friday.
He said the suspected sellers had been arrested and transferred to the Benue State Police Command headquarters in Makurdi.
Ominyi, however, said he was yet to receive the final report on the number of deaths but confirmed that three people had died as of Thursday.
He added that the council was making efforts to ensure that the victims received adequate medical attention.
Efforts to reach the Benue State Police Command spokesperson, DSP Peter Aondongu, for comments were unsuccessful. Calls to his phone did not connect, while he had yet to respond to a text message.
The incident has renewed concerns about the safety of unregulated herbal preparations sold by itinerant traders and the need for stricter monitoring of products marketed as traditional remedies.
It comes about two months after a similar tragedy in Ondo State, where at least 48 people reportedly died and 182 others were affected after consuming a locally brewed herbal alcoholic drink suspected to have been contaminated with toxic industrial methanol.
