Seven members of the same family in Runjin Barmo village, Kajiji District, Shagari Local Government Area of Sokoto State, have reportedly died after consuming a cassava-based meal suspected to be contaminated.
According to The PUNCH, the tragic incident was disclosed in a statement by the State Ministry of Health, signed by Information Officer Nura Bello, on behalf of the state’s Commissioner for Health, Hajiya Asabe Balarabe, on Sunday.
According to the statement, the victims, consisting of a father, his wife, and their five children, consumed the cassava delicacy during dinner last Wednesday.
The village head, Malam Muhammadu Modi, shared that other households in the village had used the same cassava, but no other cases of illness were reported.
The Health Commissioner, who visited the village with a delegation, stated that the ministry would conduct an investigation to determine the cause of the deaths, including taking samples from a teenager who survived after eating the same meal.
She expressed condolences on behalf of the state government and urged residents to report any unusual health incidents for timely intervention.
According to him, “The victims comprised the Father, Malam Abubakar, his wife, A’ishatu Abubakar and their 5 Children.
“The incident happened last Wednesday and the cause of the death is yet to be confirmed.
“He said this was because the suspected Cassava has been used by about 4 houses in the village and not any case of illness was recorded in those houses”
The village head, on behalf of the community, thanked Governor Ahmed Aliyu for his concern and support following the incident.
