Two middle-aged men tragically died, and another individual was hospitalized after consuming a local herbal concoction at an event during a traditional festival in Ipe-Akoko, Akoko South East Local Government Area of Ondo State.
The deceased, Alex Ojulewa and Samuel Alonge, had traveled from Abuja to participate in the age-grade traditional festival known as ‘Ibogbe’.
They consumed the concoctions along with an indigene of the community, Johnson Adu, who prepared the herbal mix and is now in a coma.
According to an eyewitness, shortly after consuming the herbal concoctions, the men began vomiting and were rushed to the hospital. Despite efforts to save them, they died before receiving medical attention.
He said, “Alex and Samuel came home to participate in the festival. As usual, while they were celebrating the festival, they decided to drink an herbal concoction.
“It was after they drank it that they started feeling uneasy. Before we could realise what was happening, they began to vomit and later became unconscious.
“They were quickly rushed to the hospital in the community, but they died before they got to the hospital.”
Confirming the development, the State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Funmilayo Odunlami, stated that the two deceased died after consuming the herbal concoctions.
Odunlami also mentioned that an investigation had begun, and the police from the command will investigate the cause of their death.
“A chief came and reported at Isua police station that someone prepared a native concoction (Agbo), which he drank with two others, and thereafter the trio started vomiting.
“While on their way to the hospital, the duo of Ojulewa Alex and Alonge Samuel gave up the ghost while Adu Johnson was in a coma receiving medical treatment. The investigation is ongoing,” she said.
