From Scholastica Onyeka, Makurdi
11 victims are reported to have died of food poisoning at the Ikobi community in Apa Local Government Area of Benue State.
The incident took place last week Monday when the people ate food suspected to have been poisoned.
Those who were reported to have lost their lives were identified to include Adi Ale, Ochefije Ojo, Maria Ojo, Aipu Ochefije, Aboyi Ngbede Ochefije, Mary Ochoyoda, Ehi Abu, Blessing Abu, Peace Ochoyoda, Ojochono Daniel and
Favour Edoh.
The Benue State Police Command, however, confirmed that 12 people were affected but seven died.
The Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Catherine Anene, who spoke on the phone on Monday, said the incident happened last week Monday.
According to her, a woman had gone to the house of her family members who died of food poisoning three months ago and cleaned up the house.
She said after cleaning, she packed some foodstuffs from the house to her house.
She said after she cooked the same foodstuff which she brought home, those who ate the food were reported to have suffered a severe illness.
Anene said, “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 was possibly a family member of the deceased went to the house of the deceased to clean up the house and in the process found foodstuff there which she brought to her house to cook.
“Unfortunately, after cooking the food she served some people and after eating the food, twelve people suffered illness and were taken to hospital but seven of them died and the other five who were rushed to the hospital for treatment have reunited with their families.,” she said.