At least four persons have died, while 14 others have been hospitalised in Benue State after allegedly consuming a suspected poisonous herbal mixture sold in Oju township, headquarters of Oju Local Government Area.
The victims, residents of the Igede community, reportedly bought and consumed the herbal preparations from three men identified as Magani, Mohamed and Kala during the Ihiejwo market day in Oju township last weekend.
The alarm was raised on November 2, 2026, after several people who consumed the mixture began developing similar symptoms.
According to an eyewitness, the first victim died on Tuesday morning, while the second died in the early hours of Wednesday. Two more victims reportedly died later on November 4.
The source disclosed that 14 other victims were receiving treatment in different hospitals, with several said to be in critical condition.
Following the development, the three men allegedly responsible for selling the herbal preparations were arrested by the Igede Youth Council in collaboration with the Oju Local Government Area Township Youth leadership.
They were subsequently handed over to the police in Oju.
The eyewitness said the Oju Divisional Police Headquarters had transferred the case to the Benue State Police Command, where the suspects were reportedly being investigated.
Speaking during the handover, President of the Igede Youth Council, John-Frank Ozzidi, urged the Benue State Government to ensure a thorough investigation and bring anyone found culpable to justice.
Ozzidi praised youths in the community for resisting the temptation to take the law into their hands despite the anger generated by the deaths.
He said their decision to hand over the suspects to the police demonstrated their confidence in the government’s ability to ensure justice.
The youth leader also called on political officeholders from the area to monitor the investigation and ensure that the deceased victims got justice, while the circumstances surrounding the suspected poisoning were fully unravelled.
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